What is More Beautiful Than That?

 Nanday parakeets in Paraguay at our conservation site

Recently when in Paraguay working at our parrot conservation site, I constantly experienced wonder and awe of my colleagues there, and of course, the parrots. My favorite species in this area is the nanday parakeet. When in our truck we pass them during the day, which is every day because their numbers are increasing in this region, I yell, “Alto, alto!” (which means "Stop, stop!"). I must stop to admire their beauty, their vocalizations, and their complex behaviors.

On one occasion, I saw parakeets gathered at a cattle feeding trough (photograph above) and took numerous photographs; even after capturing dozens of shots, I found it hard to give permission for the truck driver to continue down the road. But we had work to do. As we left the parakeets behind, I reviewed the photographs and showed this one to my colleagues, exclaiming “What is more beautiful than that?!” Their red booties and red-feathered vent amaze me (photograph below).

There were some giggles and smiles, and this interaction started a running response to many different occurrences and photographs where one person or another would say, “What is more beautiful than that?”

Yellow-collared macaws in Alto Paraguay

I realized that this sharing and commentary is an excellent intentional practice that develops our ability to experience wonder and awe, and to feel gratitude. Wonder, awe, and gratitude contribute to human physical, mental, and spiritual health. When we share what inspires us we also grow our connections with other humans as we come to understand their minds and hearts. In so doing, we become stronger and more committed to caring for each other, the earth, and other species.

Monk parakeets in Alto, Paraguay

Today, then, show someone a picture of where you see beauty and wonder, or describe something or point it out, and with a strong and inspired voice, proclaim, “What is more beautiful than that?!" Send us the pictures too, as we would love to see them.

Burrowing owl in Paraguay