We have had a number of Great Egrets gracing the lower Mousam River marsh this summer. The first arrived while the marsh was still covered with ice from our winter-without-end. Of course, it did end, and more Egrets joined the first. Yellowlegs, in the past few years, have been rare here in summer, but we get fair numbers stopping over on their way south. (Attracted undoubtedly by the low post-Labor-Day motel rates. 🙂

I like this grouping. Apparently random. Putting a frame around it, however, gives it instant significance.

Sony HX400V. 1200mm equivalent field of view. ISO 125 @ 1/250th @ f6.3. Processed in Lightroom on my Surface Pro tablet.

And for the Sunday Thought: Two thoughts occur. One I started above with the comment about randomness and the frame. Actually I started it when I wrote the title of this post. Different Drummer is an interpretation of the image…a meaning read into it...that is certainly not intrinsic to the scene. We see a pattern in the positioning of the birds, and immediately attempt to give it meaning, or the find meaning in it, but the birds, of course, had no such intention. And, of course, that is what photography is all about. We have only the frame and limited range of manipulation of focus and exposure…but in simply putting a frame around any segment of the world, we demand that the viewer find meaning in it. We have confidence that the viewer will find meaning…because we do. It is an essential aspect of our humanity: this ability to see patterns and to find meaning in the patterns we see. More than ability…this imperative. It seems as necessary to us as breath itself.

And the second thought is in the title, in the meaning I assigned to the image. Different Drummers. It is inspired, of course, by the simple fact that the three Yellowlegs are intent to the left, while the Egret is so intent to the right. The overlap of the two birds only makes the dichotomy stand out more. And of course “Different Drummers” is a loaded phrase. Like most cliches it has a deep context, with rich set of historical cultural reference. It has an emotional burden as well. You either respond positively to those who “march to a different drummer” or you respond negatively. It is generally used to describe an acceptable, even an attractive, eccentricity. Different, but no so different as to be threatening. And certainly not aggressive…those who march to a different drummer are not in the business, or even the habit, of convincing others that they should march the same way. They are simply happy going their own way. And most of us admire that. If you are at all like me, you would be secretly pleased to counted among their number.

And for me, marching to a different drummer perfectly describes the life of faith and the faith in a loving creator, which for me is embodied in Jesus Christ. I do not choose to be different for difference sake…nor do I attempt to convince others that they should be different as I am…I simply move to the beat I hear…the beat of love and creation that is the heart of the world, of the universe, of all of space and time as I experience it. And I move so imperfectly that I am not tempted at all to expect others to follow. I know my limits. But it is okay. I hear the drum, and the drum gives rhythm and meaning to every move I make. It makes living a satisfaction, an appreciation, a celebration.

And that is something I could wish, that I could hope, for you. Happy Sunday!