Floating on the wind,
What do I resemble?
A solitary gull
Between the heavens and the earth
-Du Fu
Photos taken at Golden Gardens in Seattle in honor of my father’s 77th birthday.
Monk in the World Guest Post: Natalie Gould
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Natalie Gould’s reflection Unchosen Habits. I’ve chosen monk-like paths. At twenty-four, I bought hiking boots and moved to the Isle of Mull
January 14, 2026
9 Responses
such lovely pictures – so calm and peaceful and full of gracefullness.
stunning pictures – a feeling of such peace and calm pervades my mood now after looking at this visual wonder..Sue.
It’s not the same bird I know but you feel it is one bird and it is your self and it is a journey frame to frame, a commute you simply do everyday, so naturally! Wonderful slideshow, Christine!
wonderful photographs…and what a lovely way to honor your father.
Thanks everyone, it was a transcendent evening. I want to fly too! :-)
Suz, he was 63.
SS, these were taken with my Canon 30D and a Canon IS 70-300mm macro lens. Looking forward to seeing you too. :-)
The first one AND the last one are my favorites. I know the photographer’s eye has a lot to do with the “capture” of the image but I must ask, were these taken with your 30D or with the Rebel?
Looking forward to hanging out w/you and J.
xoxo
Just lovely, Christine. *sigh*
I always add bird beads to my prayer beads because they “mediate between heaven and hearth.”
Thank you. How nice of you to honor your father…he must have been a young man when he died.
stunning photos. the last one is my favorite :-) i’m with terri – “i want to fly!!!!!”
Lovely! Birds in that liminal space transitioning between earth and heavens. I want to fly!