Coexist

Sometimes it's never quite clear what theme will pop out of my photo journeys.  The more I go on hikes around national or state parks; the more I am resenting the idea of cages and zoos.  It's not that I don't believe there shouldn't be zoos.  It's just that I dislike the general public for being so irresponsible.  "Whoa whoa whoa!!!  Dislike is a negative word. Blogging is about happy thoughts."  Now now.  Don't judge me so quickly.  Zoos have their place and they sure do educate.  But this shot above is what inspired the photos that follow....Coexisting together in peace.  I think my sister in law may have raised her eyebrow at the title for my photo shoots:)

Do you ever watch the "others" while you're at the zoo?  You know....the squirrels, sparrows, grackles, etc that take advantage of the free treats humans leave behind, the watering holes created for the caged animals or the food left behind for other animals?  Take for example this squirrel eating the turtle food on the ground.   These animals do not have cages and yet have found a place to coexist among their  more famous residents.

Zoos educate kids and adults alike about the greater world....and that's a good thing.  Some of these animals were saved from a brutal death in their home environments.  It pains me to watch people carelessly walking by caged birds or animals to get that slushy....and then leave the cup behind for someone else to pick up.  Note to self, never go on the weekends....NEVER:)  Family came up and we had a nice time together, but I couldn't help watching the people who were present around us.  I am a pretty sensitive guy to wildlife and protecting lands.  But if it's any indication from the public, I would think that most would barely know how to survive out in the wild.  No cell phones(I still don't own one).  No mobile devices.  Meanwhile the animals live in their spaces.  I consider zoos similiar to retirement homes.  Not a pretty picture. 

But the familiar faces remind me that we have to start somewhere.  Here is my SIL with my cute little nephew.  And there are lots of educational opportunities that can be found by looking at an animal or plant.  When I see this picture, I see a flashback to my days in Peru or Guatemala where women carry their young in these cute wraps.  I think they are really cool looking actually.  But let's forget cute for the moment and look at the Mother/Child relationship.  One could not exist without the love of a parent and so both coexist.  One to carry on the memories and traditions of a family while the other learns about love and support from constant nurturing......especially in the beginning.  It has to start somewhere.

So why this Pink Flamingo found in Chile?  Well Flamingos are cool.  But note how they all coexist together as a unit. The new Elephant addition to the zoo is well done.  You will see how all the elephants stick together as a unit.  In so many ways, I am learning how to coexist in the greater world each day.  It is obvious that humans can do more damage than good and we must protect those things that are precious.  I watch the mother of the Great Horned Owl as she defends her clutch at my work site from possible bird or human attacks.  The father owl was attacked by a murder of crows the other day and possibly killed.  Nature is such a fragile thing. Balance is everything. Will the owlets survive this year?

The Grackle is the bird version of us.  Forget the elephants or the lions.....I focused my attention on this bird today.  I have a lot of great shots, but one will suffice. This bird is an omnivore and steals from others and it takes full advantage of the surroundings.  But the difference?  It doesn't cause long lasting damage to the planet like a human can:)

But I am reminded that we have to start somewhere.  I actually like kids when there is only one to watch:)  This is my niece and she was full of questions....and they were good ones. She also has a good eye for spotting things.  I need to bring her on my hikes:)  And she listened without the commotion of people around her.  All of us that read each other's blogs, already do this, but it's surprising how many people do not do this:)  We are distracted by the "noises" around us.  And I think that is what I realized after our visit to the zoo.  People are running around so much that they don't do what is important like take the time and "smell the roses"(which are smelling pretty good right now:)  A lot of the people at the zoo had a hard time walking short distances without panting or checking their cell phones every 5 seconds and that makes me sad.  Technology is a good thing, but we need to learn that there is another side to this life.  The majority of us are not coexisting in the greater world.

Final thoughts.  Like the commercials that are played on the Delilah program at night about visiting nature....you know the ones....:) "Hey Dad", says the son in a robotic voice and Dad replies, "Ooooh I think it's time to visit a state park." or like the movie theater commercial before the movie begins, "Please shut off your cell phones.  It. Can. Wait.", we need to remind others to do the same.  Most of us(we bloggers) already do this, but this year I began teaching my students about the greater world beyond culture and the Spanish language with my photos.  Everyday before I begin my lectures, I start off with a photo from my travels. And what I've learned from each of you is that we all have something very special to share whether it be in writing or through the acts of parenting, teaching.  Little by little.  Those are my rambling thoughts today. More mañana:)