Well I promised to return to the adventures of my 'chick vigil'... a few days spending as long as I could watching the gannet nest I've been following, around the time chick was reaching fledging age.

The forecast over the vigil included torrential rain, thunderstorms, hail and gale force winds! I'd like to start by expressing my immense gratitude to my body. From the car park each morning to the nest was half an hour's walk along the cliff path. In strong winds it took me longer. I don't take my mobility for granted. Sometimes it rained on my way there. My rucksack was quite heavy. And sitting for hours on a clifftop could feel somewhat of an endurance. I regard it a great blessing that my body enabled me to follow my heart's desire, and attend the nest daily, through all sorts of weather.

The weather peaked on day five. Gale force winds of up to 45 mph. Lots of rain. A temperature drop. But day five was chick's thirteen week birthday. And prime fledging time. I wanted to be there. I was determined!

After battling my way through the wind and rain to reach the nest that day, I was delighted to find chick still on the nest. And I was happy to find the photographer who had been there the previous days had not come.

Just me and the elements and the nest... perfect. Chick was looking wonderful. The rain stimulates wing-flapping in the young gannets and hence my first glimpse of chick that day was just that, with the adult by their side. As I tried to make myself waterproof by sitting under a big poncho, I smiled as I wondered is this madness, or love, or both!

Thankfully the rain soon stopped and I fumbled under my poncho to get my phone/camera out. Both chick and adult were self-preening after the rain, and chick then spent a little time looking out to sea before settling for a few minutes to sleep. The sea-gazing behaviour had been prominent in the last few days. And the day before chick apparently had been exploring the nest boundaries more, standing right on the edge and stretching their body to reach vegetation below.

I realised in the conditions I wouldn't be able to stay very long. A soggy windswept couple passed, took my photo and wished me luck. Events after that have become a bit blurred. I noticed a different behaviour in chick. One wing at a time, while looking out to sea, they seemed to be testing the strength/direction of the wind. A short bout of wing-flapping and more sea gazing followed. My photos show chick looking over to the parent briefly. They also show the parent very briefly grooming chick's tail. Chick's attention was fixed on the sea. Standing very close to the edge. And then some more of the wing stretching/testing the wind. And then a minute I don't remember. It was almost like I blinked and when I opened my eyes I could hardly take in what I saw... for chick was in the air... they'd made the jump... with such poise and grace and elegance and beauty beyond description... and confidence... no teetering around... an absolutely awesome... and literal... leap of faith. I'm tearing up again just writing about it. I was moved to my core.

There was something so profoundly beautiful in those moments... on an aesthetic level... to see chick's elegance in taking to the air for their maiden flight... flying out to sea... but equally on a spiritual level. My sense of privilege and gratitude and awe as witness to this miracle of Nature are again beyond words.

This week's self-kindness invitation is to reflect on 'leaps of faith'... times when we let our heart and wisdom and courage lead us beyond comfort to something new. I hope chick inspires you as they have me. Bless them.

Go well.

In warmth and kindness

Barbara