Halcyon

Have you ever been enthralled with a word? For some reason, I find myself captivated by the word halcyon. I had often read about "the halcyon days of summer" and "the halcyon years". I guessed that halcyon meant "golden" or something akin to "the good old days". Finally, I looked the word up.

Halcyon: 1. A fabled bird, identified with the kingfisher, that was supposed to have had the power to calm the wind and the waves during the winter solstice while it nested on the sea. 2. Poetic. A kingfisher. ---adj. 1. Calm and peaceful; tranquil. 2. Prosperous; golden.

Halcyon days: 1. Days of fine weather occurring near the winter solstice, especially the seven days before and the seven days after, attributed by legend to the magical powers of the halcyon. 2. A period of peace and tranquility.

I walk pretty much every day down the country road I live on. My wanderings take me by a large pond and across a river. I see these incredible birds quite frequently. Often, I hear their raucous call before actually seeing them. I've watched them dive head first into the water and emerge with a fish in their beak.

I've seen a pair of kingfishers sitting on a tree limb overhanging the river. I've seen four kingfishers engaging in what appeared to be a game of aerial chase. Upon researching the bird, I discovered that the pairs are very territorial so what I actually witnessed was probably one pair chasing another pair out of their territory. I've always liked the fact that the kingfisher is one of the few bird species in which the female is generally more brightly colored than the male. I like kingfishers. I have a little resin female kingfisher sitting on a shelf near my computer.

And the point of all this.....well, it seems fitting that a word I am captivated with is related to a bird I am equally captivated by. And, in reference to Julie's Quote of the Day, I have added another pebble to my little island of knowledge in the great sea of life.