Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
The early morning in Bharatpur’s wetlands often brings a quiet magic. Today was one such day. A soft mist clung to the air, making the world feel hushed and calm. As a photographer, these are the moments I seek – times when nature unveils its true self, slowly and without hurry. I believe, as Ralph Waldo Emerson once wisely said, “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” And today, a beautiful white egret showed me just how true those words are.
I walked quietly along the water’s edge, my camera ready. The sounds of the waking forest were gentle, a few distant bird calls, the rustle of leaves. Then, I saw her. A pure white egret, standing perfectly still in the shallow water. She was like a living sculpture, her graceful form reflected almost perfectly on the calm, dark surface.
I chose my spot, aiming to capture the scene just as it was. The composition felt simple, yet deep. The egret, a bright beacon of white, stood in the middle, drawing the eye instantly. Around her, the dark water mirrored the bare branches of distant trees, creating a moody, painted background. The water itself held a subtle mix of blues, grays, and greens, with bits of green plants poking up, adding texture. This reflection, almost like another egret upside down, added a sense of peace and balance to the picture.
The egret itself was a picture of stillness. Her long, slender neck was curved gently, her sharp yellow beak pointed downwards, ready. Her eyes, though small, seemed to hold a focused calm. She wasn’t moving quickly; she wasn’t rushing. She was simply being. This was nature’s patience, unfolding right before my eyes. She knew when to wait, when to observe, and when to act. Her pose was not just about waiting for food; it was about living in the moment, perfectly at peace with her surroundings.
As I took the shot, I thought about how much we, as humans, could learn from this bird. In our busy lives, we often forget the power of slowing down. The egret showed me that true strength isn’t always about speed or noise, but often about quiet strength and careful timing. Her expression, if you could call it that, was one of pure, deep concentration. She was fully present, fully engaged with her world, but without any sign of hurry.
This photograph, for me, captures that secret of nature. It’s a moment of profound calm in the wilderness. It’s a reminder that beauty isn’t always found in grand gestures, but often in the simple, patient existence of a creature in its element. The egret, standing still amidst the reflections, teaches us that by adopting nature’s patient pace, we too can find a deeper connection to the world around us.