Video's Dupe

 I'm an idjit.

Mid-morning I looked out a bedroom window, and perched at the very highest limb of the Grandfather tree was a large bird. First thought, turkey vulture. Then the bird turned its head in the morning sun--a bald eagle. 

First, a context clue to underscore my foolishness. In five years here I have seen 3 adult eagles and one juvenile. 

In a series of rushed moves I grabbed my video camera and slipped on shoes and headed out the back door. Yes, my first thought was to make a TikTok video.

Now about that, making TikTok videos. A neighbor suggested posting videos of some of the stuff growing my yard and in containers. Short, of course, and no running commentary like on my YouTube videos for my parents. Just point and shoot.

Okay, and nearly 300 strangers apparently take a look. A few friends and family members as well. Amuses me to a degree, but simply done.

So I get out about halfway across the back yard and I start filming and I'm trying to be somewhat stealthy and I step into a depression and I lose focus on the eagle. So I pause.

The walk-arounds for the YouTube videos keep my parents posted on what's what in the yard since they are unable to visit. Again, some of the family and one or two friends may watch.

Slowly I ease out to the shed and refocus on the eagle and within a handful of seconds, off it flies. Which I sort of caught on video. The liftoff and then just a blur of trees in the background.

I know my yard pretty much like the back of my hand. The everyday-ness of routine.

Bald eagles, not so much. 

Grabbed my video camera for a TikTok upload and so I missed savoring a moment with one of the "lords of life".

I am an idjit.