This Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) was poking about in the shallow pond water when I spotted it earlier this month at Occoquan Regional Park in Lorton, Virginia. The species name seemed to fit perfectly, because the bird was indeed by itself in its foraging.
In some ways I felt a bit like this sandpiper. I spend a lot of time by myself, pursuing my own interests in my own way at my own pace. For me, though, “solitary” is not synonymous with “lonely,” as some people seem to believe. Loneliness is an emotional state of sadness and feeling disconnected from others, even when they might be present with you. When I am by myself, I feel a sense of liberation from societal pressures to conform to norms and expectations.
In case you haven’t guessed it, I consider myself to be an introvert. My well-developed social skills prompt some folks to think I’m an extrovert, but I often feel that I am most completely myself when I am by myself. It’s not that I lie about things, it’s more that I am a bit guarded in letting others go beyond the superficial level in getting to know me.
This solitary photographer shared a few quiet moments with the Solitary Sandpiper on a beautiful spring day and I hope this photo helps to convey to you a sense of that brief encounter.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Beautiful, Mike. Wonderful quiet moment…Blue Rock HorsesFrederick County, Virginiabluerockhorses.com
Thanks, Mitzy. I kind of went off on a tangent when I wrote the text this morning, but that’s kind of the way that it works. I don’t prepare and/or edit the text beforehand and it’s more or less a stream-of-consciousness brain dump, reflective of what is going on in my head at the moment of composing it. 🙂
Righto! 🙂
Excellent, Mike
Martin Tayler
Martin’s bird and nature blog: http://martinsbirdblog.com/
Love the photo which captures the Solitary Sandpiper blending serenely into the pond. Your thoughtful inspiring commentary brought to mind words read during my youth in an old tattered book and then many years ago purchased as a reprint. Walter Russell (1871-1963) wrote in the 1947 book “The Secret of Life” : “Seek to be alone much to commune with Nature and be thus inspired by her mighty whispering within your consciousness. Nature is a most jealous god, for she will not whisper her inspiring revelations unless you are absolutely alone with her.” Thank-YOU, Mr. Mike!!
Wow, Ellen. Once again you have pulled out a wonderfully thoughtful quotation that shows how well you “get” me. I never know for sure how my philosophical musings will be received and your response shows that they had the desired effect. Some friends go to the same places as I do and marvel at the things I see. They ask me, “How is it that you see all of these things?” If I am in a playful mood, I’ll give a Zen-like response, “And how is it that you do not see…?” 🙂
I love sandpipers!
Absolutely stunning! The level of detail in this shot is incredible.
Thanks so much. I took this shot using my trusty Canon 7D and a Tamron 18-400mm zoom lens. My gear is a bit long in the tooth, but still gives some pretty good results. 🙂
I understand! We are too far from the coasts to ever see a sandpiper locally. Great photo!
Thanks, Molly. I don’t see sandpipers too often, but sometimes a few show up. We are near enough to the Potomac River that is influenced by the coastal tides.