For the first time in my teaching career, this year we have been allotted two days (we get a sub to cover our class) to write report cards. We do write report cards three times a year, but two days is better than none since report card writing always falls to “do it at home in the evening or weekends” time. So today was a report card writing time for me since parent-teacher conferences begin soon.
As I was writing report card comments, I found myself thinking about the joy of quirky kids. You know, the one who has a million questions even after I have carefully explained what we are doing. Or the student who can’t resist singing in full voice while everyone else is quietly working. There’s the student who wears the chunky gold chain–an aspiring rapper? Or the one with the cat ear headband (when did those become so popular?).
I think I may be drawn to the quirky birds. I know when I am walking on the beach, I notice the birds that stand out in some way. It might be that shore bird that hops along on one leg with the other tucked up tight against its body. Or the osprey that swoops down and then rises up with a fish firmly clutched in its tremendous talons. But more than likely it’s a snowy egret.
I love snowy egrets. There’s something about these tallish birds with long graceful necks and long beaks…and wait for it…bright yellow feet–that always make me smile.
Just last week I saw this character.
And fell in love!
That wind ruffled hair…and that foot! A bright yellow foot in action. Snowy egrets use those quirky feet of theirs to stomp around and stir up fish and shrimp and other seafood delicacies from the tide pools. I’ve learned to creep up quietly with my camera in hand to take photos of these beautiful and often quirky birds. I love to capture them in action…somehow freezing the movement into a still that still shows their liveliness.
So here’s to quirky birds and quirky kids…celebrating all the differences that make life lively and interesting.
Thinking Through My Lens 