… in the soaring community, when we lose a soaring pilot, the Soaring Society of America has a section in the magazine titled Final Glide which recounts those in the community who have passed from this life … seems fitting to include my little buddy Finley, an American Kestrel in such an article. I heard from Michele yesterday afternoon informing me that after rushing Finley down to the vets in Phoenix for an emergency blood transfusion and other care, the little guy passed on and is now on his final glide … free of the jesses, radio transmitter is off of his back and free of pain.
I took the photo above just a few months ago and the photo below records the first few weeks of his life … in a mere four and a half years he reached thousands of people and with Michele in the lead taught thousands of people about raptors and the part they play in life. He was a welcome addition to the shows I put on at the Mary Fisher Theater in the past. He thought he was a giant and was fearless in the sky.
Tens of thousands of humans pass every day and unknown numbers of other life forms also pass every day … and births and the beginning of life occur daily too … it is all a part of life, and taking a moment to remember a friend or creature is also natural and good.
We’re into another new week, plans are made and life goes on … keep breathing and keep smiling, and live life in a manner that when the journey is over things are a wee bit better for those who remain, because of your presence here.
Smiles,
Ted
A bird flies through the sky, and I fly with it. I am in each pearl of moisture sparkling in the sun. I lie lazy on the clouds. And I acknowledge my kinship with each winged thing.
I see all as one, and nothing repels me, as this new day climbs noiseleslly out of the valley of the night.
Peace lies over the world and over the world of my soul.
excerpt from On A May Morning by Max Ehrmann
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The easiest way to reach Mr. Grussing is by email: ted@tedgrussing.com
In addition to sales of photographs already taken Ted does special shoots for patrons on request and also does air-to-air photography for those who want photographs of their airplanes in flight. All special photographic sessions are billed on an hourly basis.
Ted also does one-on-one workshops for those interested in learning the techniques he uses. By special arrangement Ted will do one-on-one aerial photography workshops which will include actual photo sessions in the air.
More about Ted Grussing …