The two lizards..
The Editor recently gave me a copy of Aesop’s fables. I opened the pages and began to read these fables, stories as old and true as the dawn of mankind. Stories that began with their creation in a Garden, and of the living creatures that filled the earth, the sea, and the sky. The Greek historian Herodotus mentioned in passing that "Aesop the fable writer" was a slave who lived in Ancient Greece during the 5th century BC. I too began writing fables of sorts a few years in the twenty first century AD following these ancient traditions. Here is my version of a tale of “The two lizards”.
As two Lizards were basking under a tree near the Broward, “How contemptible,” said one of them, “is our condition! We exist, ’tis true, but that is all; for we hold no sort of rank in the creation, and are utterly unnoticed by the world and must feed on whatever crawling or flying insects we can find. Cursed obscurity! Why was I not rather born a gentle Morning Dove to fly on wings at large, the pride and glory of the skies and feast on the neighbors bountiful bird feeders?” It happened that, in the midst of these unfinished murmurs, the shadow of a Red Tailed Hawk was seen swooping out of the sun after the very creature he was envying, who, being unaware of the danger from above, was torn to pieces by the hawk in sight of the two Lizards. “And this is the lordly Dove whose place in the creation you wish to hold?” said the wiser Lizard to his complaining friend. “Let his sad fate teach you to bless Providence for placing you in that humble situation which secures you from the dangers of a more elevated rank.”
So my dear friends, just why do I tell you this tale? Truth be told, my beloved camera and lens is back from the shop. But alas, my lens may still need some adjustments. And save for a juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron I captured ejecting a bolus (which is not a very pretty sight), there is just not much action on the Broward on these steamy summer days. So I sought the help of my friend Jim who is handy with a macro lens, and began chasing lizards and dragonflies instead. Hope you enjoy my tale and photos. And learn to be happy with just what and who you are. Be Blessed. Harry
I just love these little flowers said the dragonfly! (test of a 400mm prime lens).
The "voice of the marsh" a Red Winged Blackbird sings from his perch on the cyprus
As two Lizards were basking under a tree near the Broward “How contemptible,” said one of them, “is our condition! We exist, ’tis true, but that is all; for we hold no sort of rank in the creation..
and must feed on whatever crawling or flying insects we can find. Cursed obscurity!
A winged damsel fly lands near the lizards..
Why was I not rather born a gentle Morning Dove to fly on wings at large, the pride and glory of the skies and feast on the neighbors bountiful bird feeders?”
in the midst of these unfinished murmurs, the shadow of a Red Tailed Hawk was seen swooping out of the sun after the very creature he was envying
Oh no….look out Mr Dove!
who, being unaware of the danger from above, was torn to pieces by the hawk in sight of the two Lizards.
“And this is the lordly Dove whose place in the creation you wish to hold?” said the wiser Lizard to his complaining friend.
I think I am going to be sick….said George Jr.
There it goes (George Jr. ejects a bolus, undigested crab remains from the gizzard).
Scared out of his skin,
“Let his sad fate teach you to bless Providence for placing you in that humble situation which secures you from the dangers of a more elevated rank.”