At certain times of year where I live, I frequently see two or three crows ganging up to torment larger red-tailed hawks. Although the hawks are prettier, I root for the crows. I imagine they are protecting their own, like the gulls you describe.
I recall the first time I ever saw a bald eagle in the wild, about 20 years ago. My wife and I were hiking a trail through the stunted conifers of Virginia's Assateague Island, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, when I saw a great shadow flying low over the treetops, coming straight for me. I followed it as it approached, and when it passed overhead, a mere 15 feet above, in a split second our eyes met—and I swear—the bird winked at me! Did you ever have such a momentary glimpse of something so spectacular that stays in your mind as a snapshot, burned in as though your retinas were sheets of transparency film? That was my experience then, and I can play back that image as if I were watching a projected slide show. Another fine essay, Heather. Thanks for the inspiration.
I think the first Bald Eagle I saw in the wild in Florida was scavenging a road kill on Hywy 301. Made me think of Ben Franklin's describing them as "birds of poor character" After all, he did think that the wild turkey was more emblematic of the newly minted United States.
I find this to be a funny analogy because it has a bit of humorous duality to it. Should we be like the great American Eagle that is our symbol of freedom, or should we be like the flocks of gulls fighting against the bird of freedom?
But in the greater sense, this story is a great analogy of modern times. Great individuals who are independent and highly vigilant who act and fight in the name of freedom are being swooped in upon by the masses. Although it doesn't fit the story of nature, human beings are flexible. We should easily be able to be a mass of vigilant "eagles" hunting our prey. Or perhaps to bring a bit of a biblically framed analogy, "may we be ever vigilant and free like the eagle, but scrappy and persistent like the gulls" (in reference to the idea of being innocent like a dove but cunning like a snake).
Sadly the "Eagles" out there are an endangered species amongst people and the game of banding together against them, whether they be helpful or not, is a story all too common. People these days really have an aversion and fear of greatness and even if greatness is defined by "one's aptitude to being correct and truthful" the social games are more powerful. Beat down the honest people with the masses. And what are people defending today? What is their nest?
On one side it is this nihilistic hatred of humanity that takes pleasure in its vitalistic demise- for the left. For the right, we have a growing sense of a diminished sort of pride. A classic trait of an emasculated animal turning caustic and overly defensive because it no longer has found its markings for success.
I am not really sure I'd take pride in the system of modern America the way I would take pride in being American. It's hard for people to see how those two things are different. A good system can't fail at being good, only the people do that as we have repeatedly done.
(on a side note, I could see how the eagle would be the depiction of the modern tyrant sitting on its high perch far removed from the rest of society and mindlessly deciding who lives and dies from afar while we the people suffer the attacks. Perhaps "freedom" applies a lot more to something than just "freedom to act". To quote Erich Fromm loosely, freedom from is not the same thing as freedom to. The left's highest striving is littered with "freedom from" thinking. I hope we can return to a non cynical day and age where the freedom to be openly American is a reality again, and not something to be said behind closed doors with coded language for fear of being caught holding an American flag and not a "pride" flag.)
Currently observing a gull couple raising their two chicks on the roof of a building adjacent to my office in downtown Oakland. The gull parents are extraordinarily smart and outgoing. Often flying over and eyeballing us in our windows as though inviting us out onto the patio we have that is level with their roosting rooftop. Anything for some scraps they can take back over to their giant dark grey chicks constantly badgering them for salty processed human fare. They’re good parents.
Your discussion of the gulls' response to the eagles makes me think of mockingbirds in Florida. Feather Mockers (as I rudely refer to them) like gulls are opportunistic predators themselves. They will mob crows and hawks that invade their territories. My mother had a fiest dog that would hang out in the azalea bushes and catch them when they would try to mob him.
I will, going forward, look at seagulls in a much brighter light. I have photographed them many times, but I have always thought them to be scavenger birds as they often are found lingering around garbage cans and they relentlessly pursue the fishing boats coming into the the Ventura Harbor were I often frequent. A beautiful piece. Thank you!
I'm that annoying reader who finds the typos (or autocorrects) - as in this case:
There it it
which I think should be "There it is. . . .
As always, a lovely column - putting into perspective what we all need to do - and eat - to stay both alive and healthy. Thanks, once again, Heather, for - not only an interesting column - but one written with skill and elegance.
At certain times of year where I live, I frequently see two or three crows ganging up to torment larger red-tailed hawks. Although the hawks are prettier, I root for the crows. I imagine they are protecting their own, like the gulls you describe.
Thanks for the consistently beautiful writing.
Heather, really nicely done. You saved your punch until the end and swung it well.
I recall the first time I ever saw a bald eagle in the wild, about 20 years ago. My wife and I were hiking a trail through the stunted conifers of Virginia's Assateague Island, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, when I saw a great shadow flying low over the treetops, coming straight for me. I followed it as it approached, and when it passed overhead, a mere 15 feet above, in a split second our eyes met—and I swear—the bird winked at me! Did you ever have such a momentary glimpse of something so spectacular that stays in your mind as a snapshot, burned in as though your retinas were sheets of transparency film? That was my experience then, and I can play back that image as if I were watching a projected slide show. Another fine essay, Heather. Thanks for the inspiration.
I think the first Bald Eagle I saw in the wild in Florida was scavenging a road kill on Hywy 301. Made me think of Ben Franklin's describing them as "birds of poor character" After all, he did think that the wild turkey was more emblematic of the newly minted United States.
I find this to be a funny analogy because it has a bit of humorous duality to it. Should we be like the great American Eagle that is our symbol of freedom, or should we be like the flocks of gulls fighting against the bird of freedom?
But in the greater sense, this story is a great analogy of modern times. Great individuals who are independent and highly vigilant who act and fight in the name of freedom are being swooped in upon by the masses. Although it doesn't fit the story of nature, human beings are flexible. We should easily be able to be a mass of vigilant "eagles" hunting our prey. Or perhaps to bring a bit of a biblically framed analogy, "may we be ever vigilant and free like the eagle, but scrappy and persistent like the gulls" (in reference to the idea of being innocent like a dove but cunning like a snake).
Sadly the "Eagles" out there are an endangered species amongst people and the game of banding together against them, whether they be helpful or not, is a story all too common. People these days really have an aversion and fear of greatness and even if greatness is defined by "one's aptitude to being correct and truthful" the social games are more powerful. Beat down the honest people with the masses. And what are people defending today? What is their nest?
On one side it is this nihilistic hatred of humanity that takes pleasure in its vitalistic demise- for the left. For the right, we have a growing sense of a diminished sort of pride. A classic trait of an emasculated animal turning caustic and overly defensive because it no longer has found its markings for success.
I am not really sure I'd take pride in the system of modern America the way I would take pride in being American. It's hard for people to see how those two things are different. A good system can't fail at being good, only the people do that as we have repeatedly done.
(on a side note, I could see how the eagle would be the depiction of the modern tyrant sitting on its high perch far removed from the rest of society and mindlessly deciding who lives and dies from afar while we the people suffer the attacks. Perhaps "freedom" applies a lot more to something than just "freedom to act". To quote Erich Fromm loosely, freedom from is not the same thing as freedom to. The left's highest striving is littered with "freedom from" thinking. I hope we can return to a non cynical day and age where the freedom to be openly American is a reality again, and not something to be said behind closed doors with coded language for fear of being caught holding an American flag and not a "pride" flag.)
Currently observing a gull couple raising their two chicks on the roof of a building adjacent to my office in downtown Oakland. The gull parents are extraordinarily smart and outgoing. Often flying over and eyeballing us in our windows as though inviting us out onto the patio we have that is level with their roosting rooftop. Anything for some scraps they can take back over to their giant dark grey chicks constantly badgering them for salty processed human fare. They’re good parents.
Your discussion of the gulls' response to the eagles makes me think of mockingbirds in Florida. Feather Mockers (as I rudely refer to them) like gulls are opportunistic predators themselves. They will mob crows and hawks that invade their territories. My mother had a fiest dog that would hang out in the azalea bushes and catch them when they would try to mob him.
Heather
Enjoyed your analogy.
As Samuel Johnson explained - “If you don’t have courage, all other virtues are useless”.
In addition, (seems) that what should be fought is destructive ideas, more than evil people.
Just finished Stephen Zweig’s “The World of Yesterday”.
Moving. Heart wrenching.
Outstanding description of the change from the pre WW1 world to beginning of WW2.
He fought with his typewriter against the new hatred of other nations. Describes the change as unfathomable madness.
Couldn’t get any support or even agreement that the war was wicked and unnecessary.
Young volunteered by millions. Old preached the glory and wonder of war. All demanded hatred.
Not just courage needed.
Wisdom, insight, understanding, discernment.
Which ideas good, bad, wise, foolish, right wrong?
Who should teach world?
Locke, Rousseau, JS Mill, Marx, Adam Smith, David Hume, Grotius, Spinoza, Aquinas, averroes, Aristotle, Plato, Christ , Buddha, Freud, Sartre, Hegel, etc..
Each will produce different ideas to fight for.
Some historians explain WW1 as fight of Hegel vs Locke.
Maybe . . .
Thanks for your work.
Clay
I will, going forward, look at seagulls in a much brighter light. I have photographed them many times, but I have always thought them to be scavenger birds as they often are found lingering around garbage cans and they relentlessly pursue the fishing boats coming into the the Ventura Harbor were I often frequent. A beautiful piece. Thank you!
I'm that annoying reader who finds the typos (or autocorrects) - as in this case:
There it it
which I think should be "There it is. . . .
As always, a lovely column - putting into perspective what we all need to do - and eat - to stay both alive and healthy. Thanks, once again, Heather, for - not only an interesting column - but one written with skill and elegance.