Amazing Grace
By Shari Vines, Installed 2023
“There is a stillness in nature that offers up space for quiet reflection. This is never truer than when we are gifted an encounter with wildlife.
Normally in Colorado we watch these majestic great blue herons standing motionless in the marshlands along rivers and lakes or moving gracefully through the water as they conduct reconnaissance of a feeding ground. With this 4’ sculpture, I envisioned a stronger 2-way encounter that created an opportunity to make us pause and engage our spirit. This large adult male has just noticed you as you unexpectedly encountered him.
Very aware he can, he has chosen not to fly off yet. Had he just flapped his wings to display happiness in the second before he saw you? Or, after seeing you, did he flap his wings to seek your attention?
These grayish-blue birds are most active at dusk and dawn. Their wingspan is 5 ½’ to 7’ and their plumage strikingly complex. The special feathers on the chest continually grow and fray to be used like a washcloth to remove oils when the heron preens. This great blue heron is fully present, all the way down to the tension in the hold of his long toes gripping the log. He is inviting us to give nature the power to be in the moment with him.”
