The Wise Sea Captain

I am considering using this image in the introduction to the first book in the series The Great Face Race. I know what your thinking: “But it’s not a face?!” Yes, it’s not a face. But the story behind the photograph really embodies the spirit of my project.

I captured this image during a recent trip to Delray Beach, Florida where I was instructing at a workshop. I hadn’t been outside of the hotel for the entire week during the workshop, but had about an hour to kill before leaving for the airport. Walking the beach, I spotted this bird, seemingly gazing out to sea like a wise and solemn sea captain would do.

There were many other birds scrambling around on the beach and taking to flight for brief bits of time, but this bird continued to stare out to sea. Wanting to capture the image, I tried to move in closer for the shot. The bird stayed put and maintained his introspective pose. His tolerance of my attempt to photograph him was surprising.

Getting closer, I realized I would need to get low for the best shot. This presented some issues for me, as recent knee surgery and rehab prevented me from squatting. As I blundered about, trying to get low to the ground, the bird averted his gaze from the sea and looked over at me. He didn’t move. He watched as I clumsily lowered my self to the ground with what would have been a thud had I not been standing on sand. He then returned his gaze to the sea.

I am absolutely certain that he realized my predicament, and funny as it sounds, I felt his compassion. He allowed me to continue photographing for quite some time. Occasionally, he would glance at me to see how I was doing, and then he would return to his pose of wisdom.

This bird displayed wisdom, tolerance and compassion. Three of the qualities that The Great Face Race project attempts to foster. I like this image, because of the symbolism. The gazing bird symbolizes wisdom; his shadow, through the passing of time, symbolizes tolerance; and his reflection symbolizes empathy and compassion.

I know that these qualities exist not just in humans, but in parts of the animal kingdom as well. My grandmother shared with me something she learned about elephants on a visit to Africa. She said they are loving creatures who greet and embrace each other with their trunks, and who shed real tears when one of their herd dies. I had a Senegal parrot one time that loved to kiss and cuddle. And we all know that dogs are defined by their love and compassion.

My point is that love and compassion have universal potential. We are here to learn to love ourselves and to love one another. The first step toward universal love is understanding. With an open heart, understanding leads to compassion, and compassion leads to love.

I ask you now to take that first step toward understanding. Open your mind, your eyes and your heart, and you may come to look past differences and begin to see the similarities that unite us all.