Times they are a changin
Funny that I only noticed the geese had left this weekend. The gorgeous Light Bellied Brent goose spends from October to March in Ireland. Then April- May it heads for western Iceland. From June to August it can be found in Arctic Canada and finally in September it heads back to western Iceland before returning to Ireland for the winter. Their arrival here is always such a huge treat in the late autumn. Then, seeing them graze and fly in their formation over and back across the sea is thrilling. This bird migration is so symbolic and so beautiful. The tides ebb and flow with the sun and the moon – a pattern that has not changed for many millions of years. This reliable repetition is comforting. It is when things become disrupted that we begin to feel vulnerable.
Bob Dylan, released the album The Times They are a Changin, in January 1964. The 1960s is recognised as a time of change and in particular the 1960s saw an emergence of environmental awareness growing. We are in a new phase of change now in the COVID-19 crisis. We see from scientific reports that biodiversity and ecosystem protection is critical. We need to recognize that we cannot go back to the way we did things before the start of 2020. We need to start swimmin’!
Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you
Is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’