Morning Eye Candy: Dodder & Wattle
Gobbling through life’s endless Garden buffet, oblivious to tour, horticulturist, or passing camera lens. It’s not a bad life, I think.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
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This is a marvelous creature! It was Benjamin Franklin’s choice for our national emblem over the bald eagle! Here is a portion of a wonderful letter Franklin authored to his daughter:
“For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him…
“I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America … He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.”
Love it! Franklin’s autobiography has been a mainstay on my bookshelf since college, more for its levity–intentional and otherwise–than anything.