He captured my heart, this juvenile Pileated woodpecker. Sporting iridescent orange hair, this charming bird briefly perched on a log and appeared to smile. I could feel his delight and joy. His whole life ahead of him…unmapped and filled with endless possibilities.
Animals don’t plan their lives. They live moment to moment, allowing each day to gracefully unfold. I envy that.
As I watched the young woodpecker, I pondered. Do I want to live a well-planned, safe, and predictable life? Or, could I live moment to moment like the woodpecker?
Perhaps if I loosened my grip on the steering wheel of life, I could have a moment-to-moment existence. And maybe there would be openings for mystery, and spontaneous adventures, and exciting surprises.
I like that idea…and I do love surprises.
(New photos on website Gallery: wandernature.com/new-photos)