Why I Love Getting High on Sunrises
The sunrise reflects on Market Lake Wildlife Preserve, Idaho. By Kris Cochran
I’ve learned to walk through the darkness. Then, when the sun rises, I know what to surrender and what to hold in my heart.
My favorite hikes begin in the darkness of the blue hour before the sun rises. Most days in the summer, I hike a nearby wetland. I don’t have to get up as early or gas up as often. Plus, I know every step of Market Lake in the dark.
Some mornings I set up my tripod and camera to photograph the rising sun. Most of the time, though, I walk along the ponds carrying my camera and long lens to capture moments with the wildlife.
To witness nature waking up in the wild feels like I’ve slipped into a forgotten realm where humans and animals share wisdom as told by the stories of my ancestors.
As the light spills into the shadows, I often see eyes looking back at me. When the sun is high enough to reveal their feathered and furred bodies, the animals remain still.
It’s as if they’re expecting me.
Nature’s lessons from a walk at sunrise
A Mule Deer Fawn greets the morning with the curiosity of a child. By Kris Cochran
A fawn represents innocence and the purity of youth. Watching the fawn, I wonder, Who were we before the outer world cloaked us in fear?
A Great Blue Heron patiently waits atop a perch for a breakfast opportunity. By Kris Cochran
The Heron hunts alone and exemplifies self-reliance. Heron sparked my curiosity, Why do we seek approval when we have our own wings?
A Northern Harrier Hawk descends on breakfast with confidence. By Kris Cochran
The Hawk is a skilled hunter, rarely missing its mark. Embodying the power of focus, Hawk led me to ask, How does dwelling on yesterday’s hunt feed us today?
There is no judgment here
Ibises fly at sunrise. By Kris Cochran
The Ibis symbolizes courage. Having drifted on the water overnight, Ibises fly at the first hint of sunlight to return to their food source. They do not fear the darkness but trust the new day.
I find waking up with nature is knowing we belong to life precisely as we are, for there is no judgment here.
We all receive the same light.
Thanks for walking with me,
Kris
