Here we see a bronze bird taking off at dawn on the day before Christmas. He’s known to us as Edwin, for reasons that will become apparent, and he dresses up only for the Christmas season.
The “aliveness” in this bird’s rising is a thrill to see in all weather conditions, but especially in low winter light. Thus, this is the time to take a moment and praise the artist who sculpted this statue: Edwin Gamble (1922-2006). He named it “Egret” when he created it in 1966.
Gamble spent many summers in Maine and eventually moved with his family to Topsham, where he was easy to recognize in his red truck that had “ylwlegs” vanity plates. (Birders, of which he was one, had no trouble translating that abbreviation into “yellowlegs” [sandpipers].)
Among other things, Gamble is known as one of the foremost sculptors of shorebirds in abstract action-form. Keep your eye out for his works, which are on display in Maine museums, public places, and a few galleries. (Brooklin, Maine)