Maybe it's that I made my travel plans for Santa Fe, or that I was sneaking glimpses of travel sites between essays, or that I have the New Mexico episode of No Reservations cued up. I'm not sure of the reason, but I am feeling a bit poetic tonight. We had a vicious storm a while ago -- of course, it started the minute my scoring shift ended -- and when it was over I went outside to see if anything had blown over or away. It hadn't. As I stood on my porch, I could hear rain still falling but none was falling on me. I contemplated this, and as I did so I noticed what I thought was a weird little bug on my orange tree, which is currently in full bloom. I guess I've never seen a hummingbird so close up before; it took me a few minutes to realize that's what it was. The hummingbird didn't care at all that I was only a foot or two away. It dipped into the orange nectar, flew away, and came back for more. I wish I had a good camera, but even if I did I'm not sure I would have walked away to get it.
I think about that sometimes when I want to take pictures. Should I stay and enjoy the moment, or should I leave (or focus on the shot) and sort of step out of the role of "experiencer" and into the role of observer/documentarian? In this situation, the hummingbird event, I'm sure it was better to stay on scene. But as I embark on a big adventure, one which will probably present opportunities when I would make a similar choice, I don't know. My Santa Fe adventure will be different in that it isn't my back porch, but the question will likely come up. I have been thinking for some time about buying a "real" camera, but my concern that it will detract from the full experience of my visit is holding me back. I still have over a month to decide about that. In the meantime, the orange tree is still on the porch, with more buds about to burst. Maybe my tiny friend will return.
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