17 Comments
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Hayley's avatar

Really great, interesting post.

I loved the quote "We do not need to struggle with nature but instead cooperate with it."

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Melissa Lee's avatar

Thank you Hayley 😊 I’ve seen that magnificent heron many times since then too. He’s beautiful

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Alex Clerk's avatar

I loved reading this! Herons are such beautiful creatures.

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Melissa Lee's avatar

They are aren’t they? So majestic when they take off in flight. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment :-)

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Stephanie Morris's avatar

This is so gorgeously written, Melissa! I’m so excited to read more of your posts on nature. Tiny black birds and crows have been most of what I’ve seen so far. Everything else has seemed quiet and cold. Herons are so magical!

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Melissa Lee's avatar

Thanks so much for this, I really appreciate you taking the time to read and share ❤️ So, I think the crow symbolism is very appropriate:-

''mystery, transformation, wisdom and the connection between the physical and spiritual realms''

and the blackbird (it's all about the 'black birds'?!)

"transformation, change, and the ability to move between realms''

Makes total sense to me!! 🐦‍⬛

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Okeko's avatar

Wow, thank you 💜 In the Netherlands a heron brings babies in a cloth hanging from their beak, and yeah, just before new year I also saw two flying over and received the notion of a new me being born.

I'm in Scotland and like you soaking and blown away by storms and I felt it helped me to move on stuff that got stuck way too long.... I love the photographs you post on notes here 🎇 Cheers, Pascalle

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Melissa Lee's avatar

Hi Pascalle. Thank you for commenting 💜 I'm so glad this resonated with you. It looks as though the heron has heralded in a magical year for us both!

Thanks so much for your comment on my photos too. I'm brand new to substack, and so it's great to know that someone out there is appreciating what I share.🤗

Melissa

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Lopi Mackenzie's avatar

We woke in the new year to a giant bull elk right outside our window. I’m not sure what that means, but it was very exciting!

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Melissa Lee's avatar

Ooh nice!! What a beautiful way to wake up to a New Year. So I did a little googling and it seems that it represents ‘‘power, leadership, endurance and courage’’

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Lopi Mackenzie's avatar

I'll take that! Gives me optimism for 2025.

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Louise Hallam's avatar

I love this Melissa and I have too received many messages from the heron last year. I regularly see one on my walk at our local nature reserve. One day it just stood in front of me on the path and then another day I asked for a sign and it appeared instantly! We also had one visit us in our garden, which our neighbour says it does ever pay year keeping an eye on her pond. They are such gorgeous and majestic creatures.

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Melissa Lee's avatar

Thank you Louise. I love that your heron appeared instantly when you asked for a sign. Those are magical moments! Ever since I put this post out, I’ve been seeing herons everywhere. Who knows, it might just be the algorithm, but I like to think it’s magic :-)

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Louise Hallam's avatar

Ooh yes, I think it’s magic too! 💫

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Nature 🌲's avatar

“Patience, stillness, renewal, rebirth”, spectacular entry commitment for the new year! ✨✨✨

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Monica Balt's avatar

This was uplifting, to say the least, Melissa. May the herons continue to stand for all that comes your way in 2025 xxx

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Jan 14
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Melissa Lee's avatar

Thank you so much! They always lift my spirits 💚🕊️

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