THe Room of Precious Tears

One night I had a dream. I dreamt that I was in a room full of tiny crystal bottles filled with some kind of liquid, and many Angels were there, guarding them.

In certain times, an Angel would come and fill the bottles, and at other times, other Angels would come and take a bottle filled with the liquid and leave the room.

This went on for some time, so I asked a passing angel what this place was and what the crystal bottles were and what was being poured into them.

The Angel said, I was in the Room of Innocent Tears. It is here where all the tears from babies and those who are deemed righteous are measured and kept in the crystal bottles. The tears have a very special purpose, the angel said.

Come! Another angel beckoned to me. As I approached him, he took a bottle and we left the room. As we stepped outside, I saw a huge wave heading for what looked like a group of Islands. The wave was so big, I was sure it would submerge the Islands in seconds.

As I watched, the Angel poured the contents of the crystal bottle upon the oncoming wave, and immediately it subsided, and the waters were stilled. The islands were saved! He then looked at me and pointed to another angel some distance away, and he was over a small crack on the earth. It was starting to tremble, and the crack grew bigger and bigger. The angel then poured the contents of his bottle, and immediately, the crack stopped growing bigger, and the quaking of the earth subsided.

Come! Said the angel who was with me, and once again I found myself in the same room I was in before. This time however, there were fewer angels filling the crystal bottles, and I found that many more bottles were empty.

I asked the angel why there were fewer angels, and why there were so many empty bottles now. He replied in a sad tone: there are fewer babies crying now; most of them have been murdered in the womb. Fewer babies means fewer guardian angels.

The righteous have also fallen in numbers, as they have slowly died, and there are fewer people to replace them now; very soon, there will be no more filled bottles, and the earth will have no more aid against the disasters that are coming.

This saddened me and I cried, and as soon as I did, an angel came to catch my tears, and I cried even more, but alas, my tears could not fill even a fourth of the bottle. Your tears are many, said the angel, but they are tainted with worldly cares and pride, and when all those are removed, only a few precious drops remain. That is why a baby’s tear is worth so much more.

He continued: Do you know why, sometimes, babies cry for no reason at all? They were made for service to the world! They may be fragile and defenseless, and need much caring and nurturing, but they repay you with those precious tears, the angel said. Remember, all good things have their recompense, just as all bad things have their consequences.

Then he said: Now go, tell your friends about this! Let them know that true sacrifice, along with tears of repentance, are much needed to save the world from destruction. You have destroyed so many babies, and along with them, your future. Perhaps many will read this message and repent with tears and contrite hearts. Perhaps we can fill more crystal bottles. Perhaps it is not too late.

When Things Just Don't Work Out

A Common Kingfisher

Every now and then, we find ourselves in a situation where what we expected just doesn't happen. We planned for it, we were ready for it, then ... nothing. In bird photography, patience is a true virtue, if you really want that perfect photo.

The photo above is a nice example. I had set up a camera with a remote video trigger (Phottix Brand) pointed and pre-focused at that exact location where this bird usuallly sits and waits for prey. Everything was set-up perfectly. Then I waited, and waited, and waited .... and waited some more.

After almost 3 mours of waiting, and getting too hungry to wait some more, I grabbed the gear, and placed them back in the car. Just as I was about to leave, the bird showed up and perched exactly on the spot! I had to take some shots, at least, and this was the best I could come up with, shooting from the car window - a distance of roughly 35 meters. Oh well, maybe next time, right?

Video of the Handsome Sunbird

The Grey Herons Have Arrived

The Grey Herons have finally arrived at Jugan Fishponds in Consolacion, Cebu, Philippines. These large birds usually come in late and are also among the last to leave. We counted only 3 this time, down from the usual 5 or 6 birds, but perhaps the others are still on their way.

A Day with a Friend

I spent the whole daylight hours with my good friend Osawa San today. We went to the SRP where we found some Philippine ducks (just 2) and some Javan Pond herons (5 counted) among other common species. However, since the government has cleared the area of trees and tall shrubs, we had to shoot only from the car - no luck at all.

Anyway, as we were leaving the SRP on our way to Tabor Hills, we came across this fellow: A Brown Shrike (Migrant Species)



Oh well, better that than nothing ...

We had better luck at Tabor Hills, where we spotted a Grey-streaked Flycatcher:



And some very lively Everett's White-eyes, among others:



We packed up around 4 PM 'cause some nasty clouds were heading our way and we decided to check our shots over at a nice coffee shop not far from our location - just as the rains started! Whew, if it had caught us in the open, we'd have some really wet cameras and lenses to worry about tonight!

It's nice to have a good friend to hang out with. Friendships that we form and nurture as we travel the road of life brings color and variety to what would otherwise be a dull and lonesome experience. Choose your friends wisely, and you can be sure of a truly rewarding journey. Keep Wondering! :-)

Tonight's Full Moon

The Moon has always fascinated this Wonderer. With the advent of Digital Photography, I am now able to take acceptable shots of the moon. Gone are the days when I had to guess the proper exposure for a film camera to come out with the correct shadow and highlight details that the moon exhibits in its fullness.

I shot this by attaching a Kenko 1.4X 300 DG TC and a Sigma 2X EX/DG TC on to a Canon 400mm F/5.6L set at F/9 and exposed for 1/40th of a second. The EOS 50D was used in this shot to take advantage of the additiona 1.6 Crop Factor.

Wondering with my Partner

Instead of joining the crowds at the cemetery yesterday, my wife and I spent a good part of the day at a fishpond in Consolacion Town, in Cebu.

While we were there, I captured an image of a Javan Pond Heron - once thought not to range in Cebu at all:



I also came across a Clamorous Reed Warbler amongst the bushes that line the ponds there:



While my ever-supportive wife trained her 5DMK2, with the Sigma 150-500, at a flying raptor - a Brahminy Kite - with its meal grasped firmly in its claws. The shot was taken from behind 'cause the bird had just flew past us when we noticed it:



A closer look:

Activities with your partner strengthen the bonds that bind you. I thank God each day for giving me both a good wife, and a natural Wonderer, all in one. :-)