I was perched on a cliff several hundred feet up from where the Columbia River collides with the Pacific Ocean when this feather came floating up on the Air currents.
It hovered for a very a long time.
Undulating with the fluctuating columns of invisible gases. As if the Earth was breathing its flight. In and out. Up and down.
Hypnotic.
The Cormorants and Gulls were gathering on a large rock outcropping below. Completing a never-ending circle of flight. From the hunt, to the nest. To feed their young. A flurry of dark and white.
Their very revolutions of life.
The feather reminded me of just how perfectly Birds are constructed to fly – even their feathers can fly independently. Rising on the thermals.
I lunged and grasped and missed.
The feather dancing about my hand. And then I watched it sail away above the open waters. How long it would fly above those turbid Ocean waves I would never know.
One can find a meditation in every aspect of Nature.
Circadian Rhythms. Cadent Perfection.
As I hike on, my mind wanders to all of the analogies. Our lives are little different from these living, breathing flying machines. These particles in flight.
Our patterned existence.
We are part and parcel of this Earth. Our Mother. We are so bound that to cut Her is to cut ourselves. Yet we have been given such Freedoms.
The Power to Dream. To Create. To Manifest. To Love. And to Experience the “Wemi Tali” – the “All Where.”
The totality of all Creation.
We are not aeolian – sediments blown about by the wind. We are not constrained within the boundaries of space and time. It is only fear that can hold us back from these many gifts bestowed upon us. We can all Fly.
I’m on my way . . . Flying Without Fear
In Metta

Photos: The feather is that very one I watched fly across the Ocean.
The later pic, above, is me from a number of years ago. When I was young and felt even less constrained. I played a game of climbing rock spires and then jumping down them. In rhythm, I raced across these pinnacles of limestone. And Flew.
A river colliding ocean -wow
“even their feathers can fly independently” So true.
I was the feather and I felt the breathing of the earth. Really enjoyed its journey. And I was the kid running behind that feather and missing it.
Very nice juxtaposition ‘feather’ and ‘you in the air’. Thank you for sharing your pic 🙂
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Thank you so much! I’m so happy that you can picture it and be a part of the experience 🙂
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OMG…you “lunged” for the feather as you were on the edge of a cliff ???? LOL I’m glad you are still here to tell this story !!!! ❤
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I had a grip with the other hand 🙂 And missing it once was enough
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If you want that feather these are the guys that can get it for you.
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Wow! On the pic. And everything else for that matter
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Thanks ! ❤❤❤ Nature never fails to amaze me when I’m out hiking 😊
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💗💗
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As always Harold, wonderful and poetic food for thought. A positive way to begin my day (or finish it, as I find that I am coming to the end of another night shift!) Slumber beckons with thoughts of feathers on generous thermals and a rhythmic breath that will send me calmly and happily to sleep! Very nice to be reading you again. Keep well my friend. Best, Rob 🙏
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Thanks my friend ! Rest well and dream 🙂
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How’s life going? Wonderful post… the nature is our inspiration as well as meditation:)
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Hey there Victoria ! One of my most favorite writers 🙂 Things are well. Lots going on right now so my head is spinning. Thanks so much. And how are things with you ?
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Everything is fine… but this weekend I have guests, and it’s a bit disturbing (bcz of COVID), but can’t say no lol it’s a sister of my husband:)
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Yeah COVID is scary shit. Be safe. I managed to work in my summer travel this year, but was very cautious and out in the wilderness by myself as much as possible. It’s actually scarier now that I’m home. People here are still not taking this very seriously
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Yes. Agreed. Hopefully it will get better next year, with the help of vaccinations. Here’s a Wild West of COVID. No one wears masks. But I don’t meet ppl so I’m kinda safe.., but it will be tough this weekend cuz I have to go to restaurants with my guests – 3 times. 🤔😶
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Well be careful out there. That’s one thing I’ve been avoiding – public places, restaurants and bars in particular
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Yeah… not so fun. 😒😫 I’ll do my best. But have to sit there at least 2 hrs I guess… 😣
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🙁 well wear a mask when you can. Pump up your immune system with vitamins. Andrgraphis is a good one to take for a couple of weeks during and after exposure
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👋 ok, thanks for advice!!
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What a beautifully captured experience. Your blog title perfectly captures your descriptive experiences. Our earth and our connection to it is so intricate and important. Lovely writing and blog.
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Thank you so much ! 💖 I am enjoying your blog now too and so happy to meet you here in our blogging community 😀
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I am happy to meet you , as well. Thank you for the nice compliment and for reading. I look forward to reading more of your work🤍. Have a wonderful day.
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❤❤❤ You have a wonderful day too !
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