To see with the heart

Coming in for a landing

When I was going to school in Germany I had an art teacher that would tell us repeatedly, in order to do great art, one had to see with the heart.  I never really understood that concept, until I did just that, many years later in another country, the one where I now live.  I was returning home one day, totally discouraged and exhausted.  It was a period in my life, that everyone experiences at one time or another, where nothing seemed to be going right.  I needed to walk, which is what I did in those days, and so I did.  When I got off the bus, I was at the freeway, where I crossed the bridge.

Goshawk sub-adult

Looking around

I wasn't thinking about anything at all really, when I spotted a large bird on a light post near the other side of the bridge.  For the first time in my life I looked, and saw with my heart.  As I learned later, here was a juvenile Goshawk, presented to me in full, glorious sunlight.  The streaks on his gleaming chest stood out, as did his eyebrows.  He looked so strong and proud, healthy and full of life, fierce and determined.  We looked each other in the eye, yellow to brown, and at that moment, time and space seemed to disappear, like magic.  So I don't really know how much time passed, but if the moment hadn't ended, I know I'd still be standing there, quite fascinated. 

Goshawk winging off

When I left that bridge I did so determined to see that bird again and to sketch him.  I returned to the freeway many, many times in hopes of doing just that.  So my love of birds; my birdwatching days began although I was entirely focused on hawks at first.   My determination to sketch these birds, brought about the need to photograph them and the subsequent purchase of a camera, although I never saw that particular  Goshawk up close again, except in memory.

Enjoy,
Susan