December 19, 2006
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Life is All About Choices
While out running today on the trails next to the Salem reservoir, I heard a rustling in the underbrush to my left and saw some huge wings unfolding as a very large bird arose--a great blue heron. I have seen them many times before, but usually just right next to the water, and they often quickly take flight, making a weird honking noise and soaring away like a pterodactyl. This one was in the woods not more than 15-20 feet away, and I was on the trail between it and the water, some 30-40 feet to the right. Most great blue herons that I've seen are more gray than blue, but this one was an unmistakably vivid blue (like this one). I wish I'd had a camera.
It spread its wings and hopped, looking like it might try to fly away, but it appeared that there was not enough "runway" space and too many branches and brambles in the way. The thought briefly crossed my mind of runnning toward it to see what it might do, but I didn't: "Salem Man Mauled Trying to Tackle Blue Heron" would be a unique headline, but I really wouldn't want to be that man. So I just kept running on the path, away from the bird. Did I make the right choice? Or did I miss my one chance to do something truly great?
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