Ohhhhh! This is absolutely, hands-down, one of my all-time favorite reads on Substack. As soon as I read Holly mention the blue heron I knew, it’s going to be THAT piece. So exquisitely told, rhythmic, immediate, intimate. Julie, your writing astounds in its ability to point me into detail while simultaneously expand me into the universal. You make my “heart mind thump here.” Thank you Holly for nominating Julie and returning me to this gorgeous offering.
The Great Blue Heron became my star attraction, my first ‘crush’ in high school Ecology class. I hiked for miles, just to meet one, on their own terms, in their home town Rookery. My intro to Bird Fascination 101. I can still close my eyes , find the exact trail leading to their loud raucous community of towering nests.
“…her trailing wing feathers, the delicate scribble of feet extending from her torpedo body, the neck tucked in a tight S, the beak slicing the air.”
I’ve read about and watched videos of those raucous rookeries. There will be a snippet about that in a future chapter of FLUX. Herons are amazing beings. Truly. So strange and patient and fierce. Thanks, Lor. 💚
Thanks so much, Adam and Holly. What an honor! It’s a delight to see these words take flight and find their way to other hearts. 💚
Truly, the pleasure all mine. Great piece of writing and imagination, Julie.
Ohhhhh! This is absolutely, hands-down, one of my all-time favorite reads on Substack. As soon as I read Holly mention the blue heron I knew, it’s going to be THAT piece. So exquisitely told, rhythmic, immediate, intimate. Julie, your writing astounds in its ability to point me into detail while simultaneously expand me into the universal. You make my “heart mind thump here.” Thank you Holly for nominating Julie and returning me to this gorgeous offering.
Big smile! Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. 💚
Dear Holly and Julie, thank you, for reminding me of this;
"Six-foot wings deploy like the time-lapse of a blooming lily, tight bud to extravagance in an instant. The breeze-sound of flight..."
That whole paragraph... the whole story - exquisite!
Thanks, Susie! So glad you enjoyed it.
The Great Blue Heron became my star attraction, my first ‘crush’ in high school Ecology class. I hiked for miles, just to meet one, on their own terms, in their home town Rookery. My intro to Bird Fascination 101. I can still close my eyes , find the exact trail leading to their loud raucous community of towering nests.
“…her trailing wing feathers, the delicate scribble of feet extending from her torpedo body, the neck tucked in a tight S, the beak slicing the air.”
Love this , Julie!
And such a beautifully written nomination, Holly.
I’ve read about and watched videos of those raucous rookeries. There will be a snippet about that in a future chapter of FLUX. Herons are amazing beings. Truly. So strange and patient and fierce. Thanks, Lor. 💚
"raucous rookeries." :-)