A Lesson from the Blue-tailed Bee Eater - Little Giant

chngpe01 · 10th October 2004

A few of us were very fortunate to have found this beautiful Blue-tail Bee Eater this morning perched on a pole and was very tolerant of our presence. It even flew off to catch its prey and will land on this particular perch to devour it. It was indeed a visual treat for us. We even wondered why it was so tolerant and what made this perch so special that it just love to use it.

The answer came when I was alerted by Avatar, this evening. He was shocked and sadden to discover from the pictures taken that the bird was a cripple. It has only one good leg, its left leg has no claws. It than dawn upon us that because of its handicapped it could not just perch on any branches, it need to perch on a flat surface.

As I look thru the pictures of this small bird, I began to reflect on the lessons that mother nature has for me. I am indeed humbled by this little bird.

Despite, its handicap and the adversities it faces. This little bird has shown its enormous courage, adaptability and its will to live normally , not only has it adapt to having only one good leg, it even leverage on its strength ie. the keen sense of sight, dexterity and skill in hunting to get its prey. The way it flies, hunts and even when perched, it has not betray any sign of handicap yet displaying grace and more importantly dignity.

Though initially I felt sorry for this little creature, I don't anymore, because it did not need my pity nor sympathy. This little bird has show me, a bigger and supposedly a more superior being, the true mean of courage, fighting spirit and will power to overcome adversities.

This series is dedicated to this little Blue-tailed Bee Eater - I named Little Giant.

chngpe01 · 10th October 2004

jbma · 10th October 2004

A truely magnificent series

. It is indeed sad to see this little bird with only claws on one leg. It does make me feel humble by it's courage and determination. Nice background too.

sonix · 10th October 2004

Wah wish i could join.. very nice. Always dream be able to capture this bird!

Jeff · 10th October 2004

A little Giant indeed! A pic speaks a thousand words. My favourite is

BTW, the color appears a little pale on my screen. Perhaps the subject and BG are of similar color range so this might explain the slight paleness. Nevertheless, they are excellent pixs, each with a story to tell.

2100 · 10th October 2004

Nice. Just leaving a note that i appreciated this series and the hard work.

ccplim · 11th October 2004

A real "little giant"! It's courage and determination is something that we really need to learn

Avatar · 11th October 2004

Aye chngpe01, I was immensely saddened to see such a sight but at the same time, the courage this blue-tailed bee-eater displayed is beyond that of even some human beings. To think it had survived its migration flight to its present location and that it is now adapting without a claw, I believe this is part of a sign from Mother Nature that we should hold steadfast with our beliefs and continue to fight for more awareness in nature conservation.

As invited, this is a pic from yours truly dedicated to this Little Giant!

s_wrx · 11th October 2004

great shots!

that's one tough kid!

Garion · 12th October 2004

Lovely series PE. Frankly I did not notice that this little guy had a deformed leg until I saw this post. It is truly moving to see such strength, determination and fighting spirit in such a little creature, and its strong will to survive and lead a normal life like its other healthy mates, despite its handicap. Now this encounter is firmly and indelibly imprinted onto my mind.

Originally Posted by ccplim

A real "little giant"! It's courage and determination is something that we really need to learn

Couldn't agree with you more. What an apt nickname for this guy too.

Newguy69 · 12th October 2004

Hi chngpe01,

Great moment capture!!!

This cute little birdie is truly giant at heart and spirit and able to survive in this tough world of mother nature. That also reflected how weak some of us human are, facing a bit of problem and think that it is end of the world

. Once again, well done!

Cheers

chngpe01 · 12th October 2004

Thanks jbma, sonix, jeff, 2100, ccplim, s_wrx, Garion, Avatar and Newguy69, glad this series touch you as much as it is on me.

For those who shot this bird together last week, I invite you to post your shots here to share, it is not the quality of the shots but the pic that tells a thousand words.

Cheers

skfoo · 12th October 2004

PE,

Well said!

Here's my contribution - a portrait of the little giant.

Cheers!

10th October 2004	#1
chngpe01 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 7,815	A Lesson from the Blue-tailed Bee Eater - Little Giant A few of us were very fortunate to have found this beautiful Blue-tail Bee Eater this morning perched on a pole and was very tolerant of our presence. It even flew off to catch its prey and will land on this particular perch to devour it. It was indeed a visual treat for us. We even wondered why it was so tolerant and what made this perch so special that it just love to use it. The answer came when I was alerted by Avatar, this evening. He was shocked and sadden to discover from the pictures taken that the bird was a cripple. It has only one good leg, its left leg has no claws. It than dawn upon us that because of its handicapped it could not just perch on any branches, it need to perch on a flat surface. As I look thru the pictures of this small bird, I began to reflect on the lessons that mother nature has for me. I am indeed humbled by this little bird. Despite, its handicap and the adversities it faces. This little bird has shown its enormous courage, adaptability and its will to live normally , not only has it adapt to having only one good leg, it even leverage on its strength ie. the keen sense of sight, dexterity and skill in hunting to get its prey. The way it flies, hunts and even when perched, it has not betray any sign of handicap yet displaying grace and more importantly dignity. Though initially I felt sorry for this little creature, I don't anymore, because it did not need my pity nor sympathy. This little bird has show me, a bigger and supposedly a more superior being, the true mean of courage, fighting spirit and will power to overcome adversities. This series is dedicated to this little Blue-tailed Bee Eater - I named Little Giant. __________________ my work Last edited by chngpe01; 10th October 2004 at 08:24 PM.

10th October 2004	#2
chngpe01 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 7,815	__________________ my work

10th October 2004	#3
jbma Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tampines Posts: 3,315	A truely magnificent series. It is indeed sad to see this little bird with only claws on one leg. It does make me feel humble by it's courage and determination. Nice background too.

10th October 2004	#4
sonix Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sengkang Posts: 1,314	Wah wish i could join.. very nice. Always dream be able to capture this bird! __________________ My humble gallery

11th October 2004	#8
Avatar Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Singapore / Taiwan Posts: 1,244	Aye chngpe01, I was immensely saddened to see such a sight but at the same time, the courage this blue-tailed bee-eater displayed is beyond that of even some human beings. To think it had survived its migration flight to its present location and that it is now adapting without a claw, I believe this is part of a sign from Mother Nature that we should hold steadfast with our beliefs and continue to fight for more awareness in nature conservation. As invited, this is a pic from yours truly dedicated to this Little Giant! Last edited by Avatar; 11th October 2004 at 10:18 AM.

10th October 2004	#5
Jeff Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,544	A little Giant indeed! A pic speaks a thousand words. My favourite is BTW, the color appears a little pale on my screen. Perhaps the subject and BG are of similar color range so this might explain the slight paleness. Nevertheless, they are excellent pixs, each with a story to tell.

10th October 2004	#6
2100 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,116	Nice. Just leaving a note that i appreciated this series and the hard work.

11th October 2004	#7
ccplim Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: BN Posts: 1,228	A real "little giant"! It's courage and determination is something that we really need to learn

11th October 2004	#9
s_wrx Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: sINgaPoRe Posts: 337	great shots! that's one tough kid!

12th October 2004	#11
Newguy69 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Third rock from the Sun Posts: 1,775	Hi chngpe01, Great moment capture!!! This cute little birdie is truly giant at heart and spirit and able to survive in this tough world of mother nature. That also reflected how weak some of us human are, facing a bit of problem and think that it is end of the world . Once again, well done! Cheers __________________ The place where I can spread my wings, and soar the sky at dawn - I belong

12th October 2004	#13
skfoo Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,203	PE, Well said! Here's my contribution - a portrait of the little giant. Cheers!