Seagulls in the Storm
Have you ever listened to the seagulls just before a storm when they flock inland and are suddenly "everywhere"? (I live 40 miles from the coast) It sounds as if they're in a bit of a "panic", crying out to each other, "careful!", "watch out", "be quick!", with an undertone of "emergency!".
What if it turns out that they're actually singing a well known (to them) song of joy and happiness whose lyric is "hey hey! No work today! we get to eat While we PLAY!" (translated with the FunkLogic Masterizer in Pro Tools)
Once the storm is in full swing, the wind carries them over areas they could never cover so easily by their own effort, and they can zero in on insect-size snacks at greater distance focusing more on scanning than flying.
What we perceive as a dark, wet, cold and violent storm becomes a "free ride" gift from nature for them.
Further Illustration:
Two guys take off from Liberty Field in Petaluma California, (true story) heading for the coast to get some flying hours logged and test some new instruments installed in their aircraft. One is a seasoned pilot with hundreds of flight hours logged. The other is a fledgling pilot. They are in separate planes. The weather is nasty, but thunderheads can be seen (and therefor avoided) so they enthusiastically hit the runway with great expectations.
Just after take-off, the fledgeling pilot climbs up and through the storm cloud layer to where the ride is smooth and clear. The other cannot be seen, which alarms the fledge pilot who wonders if his buddy is in trouble. Raising him on the radio, he asks, "Everything alright?,.. You ok?,.. Where are you? The radio replies, "I'm just over the ridge, looking at the coastline, where are YOU?!. "I'm not sure". the fledgling pilot replies, "I can't see anything below the cloud cover. I'll bring it down to altitude when I get out there where it's clear. Look for me. I'll look for you - but,.. how did you get out there so fast?" The radio squawks, "I rode the weather to save fuel".
As a member of the Liberty Field Flyers Club, I learned a great deal
from the seasoned veteran pilots who seemed to know that both
observation and error are necessary components to the equation of higher
understanding of things that matter. When it comes to aviation, the former is always emphasized for obvious reasons. Coherent Observation reduces Error. Managing the balance between the two is crucial.
Once on the ground, this fellow flyer graciously and enthusiastically explained in detail how he takes advantage of weather conditions to enhance the flying experience, gain distance and altitude and save fuel as well.
Since then, whether in the air, on the ground, (in the studio?), wherever I might be at any given time, I try to make a point of applying the practice of "riding the weather" whenever the opportunity arises. I believe that Identifying any of those things that lend us any navigational Advantage is a worthwhile endeavor. Observing the Seagulls in the Storm always reminds me. (Listen for them, and then watch natural wisdom in motion.)
In my next post, I'll share with you a humbling lesson in humility vs, arrogance. Look for "What's a Sucker Hole?" (Everyone's a "newbie" at something, sometime) - I try to remember not to take it all toooo seriously! We stop learning when we're dead. I'm ok with keeping the classroom open.
Some "cliches" are still with us for the very simple reason that,..they're true. "Life is Short". Make sure you're having some fun along the way!
