"...freshwater egrets east in the flooded marshlands skirting the
sea-level rivers, white one-legged watchers of shallows;
Broad-headed kingfishers minnow-hunting from willow stems on meandering
valley sloughs;
You too, you herons, blue and supple-throated, stately, taking the air
Open your water-dartling beaks,
And make a praise up to the Lord..."

Sunday Sayings: Title and extract from William Emerson’s “Canticle to the Waterbirds” to accompany this photo of diving and wading birds on Hula lake, Israel.