Friday, January 11, 2008

There is no animal on earth that sees as much daylight over the course of its life as an Arctic Tern. They nest way up north during our summer and winters way down south of what anyone calls South - America or Africa.

Winter, thus, becomes another summer....long days, again.

"The species is strongly migratory, seeing two summers each year as it migrates from its northern breeding grounds to the oceans around Antarctica and back (about 24,000 miles) each year. This is the longest regular migration by any known animal." Go here.



I saw many Arctic Terns just once, on a bird watching boat that went sixty miles off the coast of Monterrey Bay, California to the continental shelf one late August. There I saw more than a million sea birds migrating - some from the north, others venturing from South Pole, some that even bred near New Zealand and somehow had followed food and winds to California. The most birds I have ever seen at once.

I crave daylight. I prefer sunrises to sunsets. Sunlight bathes us, warms us and jump starts the food chain. Luckily I do not live near lions.

Someone in this blog community is always in daylight. As of today those that grace me span the States and the World - Canada to New Zealand. Like Arctic Terns we circle the earth - we are all here seeking light, some raising young, others morning losses, most creating art. And all striving. Everyone flying despite fear and doubt, with joy and pain.

Happy Friday. Or Saturday if you are ahead of me, as I type. So many are.


"screen.door.snap.shot.not.art"

6 comments:

Bobbie said...

You are so cool, John. I love your view of life. The info on the Arctic Tern is so interesting. Wouldn't it be great if it got too hot or cold for you to just flap on over to the other pole. Thank you for the kind words on my blog today. Yes, JD was, and still is my grandson.

Trijnie said...

I agree with Bobbie!
I like birds and photos of them. I think we call this bird a Stern.
I looked for my bird"book", could'nt find it so quikly.
So correct me if I am wrong.
Wish you a nice weekend.

Irene said...

What a lovely piece of writing you did today, John. Yes, I also crave daylight and I am glad that someone reading me is up when I am asleep and visa versa. It's like we all guard over one and other.

To answer your question on your comment to my post, yes, you may always poach. Just let me know so I can come and have a look. I will always be very curious to see what you do with it. Please, go ahead and do it.

Unknown said...

if you ever find your way back to this side of the country, be sure to come birding in Humboldt County!

Artists With Artitude said...

Uplifting and dreamy post today. I needed that. Thanks!

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

Beautiful and interesting post! I particularly (sp) like the 2nd to last paragraph...everyone one flying despite fear and doubt, with joy and pain.

Quite the poet is you!