Slowing it Down: 5 minutes with a Snail

On my run this morning, I stopped to watch a stunning little Crimson Sunbird flitting from flower to flower. A little later on, I was entertained by a noisy pair of White-breasted Waterhen rushing back & forth, finally stopping in the middle of the path to have a chat. I was too slow in both cases to capture any of them on camera.

Fortunately for me, I chanced upon this little fellow, a Giant African Land Snail, who obliged me by taking his time crossing the road.

Which turns my thoughts to what we can learn about taking our time. It is all very exciting to spot a scarlet bird amongst the greenery, or watch the conversation of animated water fowl, but one has to admire the snail for calmly and methodically moving with stoic purpose. What is it that they say: slow and steady?

Except that I could have inadvertently stepped on the snail. which is another nugget for thought. Perhaps having the option to nip away when the need arises, and knowing when to act, is salient & crucial.

Loving Husband, bless his heart, did ask if we should help the snail along. After some consideration, I decided that the trauma of being unceremoniously air-lifted would overwhelm the poor creature. So, for better or worse, we left him to it.

These photos & ruminations are my contribution to DelseyJane’s Regular Random. If you are keen to join in, here’s how:

• choose a subject or a scene
• spend five minutes photographing it – no more!
• try to not interfere with the subject, instead see it from many angles, look through something at it, change the light that’s hitting it
• have fun!
• tag your post #regularrandom and ping back to DelseyJane’s post