Being….What?

I hate using the term “Being Human” because Chris Brogan uses it, so I feel like I am stealing.

But Chris is right.  The more digitally instantly connected we become, the less “human” we seem.  How many email addresses do you have? How many ways can people look for you?  More importantly, how many ways can they not find you and think they have?

I am techno-challenged. Some emails I see on my phone, my ipad, my ipod, AND my laptop. Some emails I see on my phone and not on the others.  And lots of people send me Facebook and Twitter direct messages.  I travel.  And if you travel around Maine and New England you know cell service is less than perfect. But I mentioned all that in a previous post.

Bottom line?  I am sorry if I miss you.  I don’t mean to.  Information overload and platform challenged.

Face to Face

But a couple weeks ago, I was on an early morning bike ride.  Along the coast of  Maine (no cell service), where Eagles and Osprey nest and raise their young.  Now there is something to behold. Stop, watch and enjoy the world around you, but do you?  I could see up ahead a camera zeroed in on a popular Osprey nest on the main road.  A long lens and a tripod, somebody up ahead was serious.  The road went around underneath the nest and I didn’t want to ride passed the camera lens if this person is waiting for the perfect shot.  I pulled into the small parking lot and get off my bike behind the camera and the man using it.

Instead of him being irritated with my interruption, we quietly introduce ourselves as we watch the Osprey exercise their wings, getting ready to leave the nest soon. The man’s name is Dale.  He is a wildlife photographer, his license plates are from Massachusetts. We quietly visit and I learn he is a Maine native. From an area where most of my cousins are from.  He graduated from high school with one of my favorites. I couldn’t believe it.

Corea, Maine

In this fast paced world, Dale waits for the right thing to happen. Get the right shot and you can see by his website (disclaimer: Dale is not a customer of Sephone), he does a mighty fine job with waiting for that right moment.  He doesn’t rush things, he wants to be an observer and get THAT shot that surprises the viewer. THAT photo that just anyone with a camera on their phone doesn’t get.

Doing it YOUR Way

That is what makes him different.  He changed my day.  He reminded me that watching and listening to that which is around you is just as important (and maybe more) than shoving things into place just to check it off my list.  Breathe a little. You never know what you maybe missing.

*Photo from Dale Martin, Massapoag Pond Photography Facebook Page.