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"CLOSED DUE TO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN"
These wicked words were prominently printed on a swinging sign on the locked gate, when I recently traveled to one of the National Wildlife Refuges.
The administrators have always made a point to remind us that these are OUR Wildlife Refuges, some proudly displaying signs stating,
"Visit YOUR Refuge Again Soon".
If the refuges really belong to US, then why are we denied entry, simply because our leaders have their heads up their hineys?
Keep in mind that these refuges do not require guided tours or interaction of any kind with anyone.
You simply drive in and view the wildlife on your own.
You don't normally see any of the workers there, anyway.
There was little that I could do, short of crashing the gate, so I huffed and puffed and went on down the road.
Little did I know that I was about to encounter some beautiful Wading Birds that had found their own refuge, away from government meddlers.
My heart hit ninety miles a minute,
when I first spotted them wading in the wetland.
When I was finally able to count them, I thought that this surely was God's way of providing me some cool critters to photograph, without any government intervention.
They were breathtaking Roseate Spoonbills
and their number was Seven.
I hurriedly readied my camera gear,
thanking God the whole time.
When I made it out to where they were wading, they looked at me and started doing a "what's up" nod.
They patiently posed for several minutes, then took flight, in a brilliant burst of pink.
So the Government Shutdown attempted to ruin my trip, but God saw fit to bless me with an awesome adventure that even ludicrous legislators could not spoil.
