Survivor

by Rebecca Herranen

Title

Survivor

Artist

Rebecca Herranen

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Sometimes life can beat you down. Sometimes we are injured like this beautiful Egret. This beautiful bird was building a home for his new family. Not sure exactly what happened, but the short of it, this Cattle Egret was taking a beating from a much larger bird, an Anhinga. Anhingas have much larger wing spans and a much longer and very sharp beak.
The egret was trying to build a nest just like they always do in a tree over the water and maybe got to close. In the beating, he ended up upside down, hanging helpless by a leg that was stuck in the tree while the anhinga just kept attacking. It was frightening to watch. I was helpless to help and I don't like that feeling, but there was nothing I could do.
After what seemed like an eternity, the egret managed to free himself and fell stunned into the water with wings spread, it sat there. Not a good place for an injured animal as the waters are also home to alligators always searching for an easy meal. Finally the bird managed to paddle or kick over to a small patch of reeds and pull itself up out of the water, when it became clear it was injured, unable to stand on one of his legs.
Resting, gathering his wits and his balance he began flapping his wings, yes, they still worked and he attempted flight. Although a short flight, he managed to get himself back to the lower branches of the tree he had fallen from.
He sat there for awhile, composing himself, trying to stand on one leg. And he made another leap to a safer location. There it was clear that the leg was in pretty bad shape and he continued to struggle to stand, but he did. He stretched those beautiful wings until he grew stronger again. At this point I left and continued my walk, feeling like he was going to survive. Later on my return he had flown back to the tree where he had fought a terrible battle. His mate was there and maybe that leg will never work again, but he was not giving up.
Sometimes life deals terrible blows. Makes life more difficult. Some are injured permanently, for some the wounds are deep. Learn from this egret, you are still beautiful. Regain your composure, spread your wings and let nothing stop you. You can do this even if you have to stand on one leg.
Bubulcus ibis

Uploaded

April 13th, 2021

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