"I've never seen this before. They always just fly away."

Your Friday photo is a video…

Visitors to Baba’s Tree at Meher Mount are often surprised at what they find. "I've never seen this before," said Jackie DeSantis from the Ojai Raptor Center. She made this comment watching what happened after she released a rehabilitated American Kestrel at Avatar's Point next to Baba's Tree.

See the complete story and raptor release in this 3:15-minute video as told by guest caretakers Kristina Somma and Robert Turnage.

“Raptors” is an outtake (a scene filmed for a movie but not included in the final version) from the award-winning documentary film Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience.

“It reinforced the feeling that something powerful is at Baba’s Tree and at Avatar’s Point.”

— Robert Turnage, Guest Caretaker & Board Treasurer

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As Robert Turnage and Kristina Somma tell the story:

We were there on the first raptor release that took place, and this was a connection that Meher Mount made with the Ojai Raptor Center, which rehabilitates wounded birds of prey.

And an arrangement had been made to release two birds from Avatar's Point, which is right next to Baba's Tree. And the person from the raptor center, Jackie DeSantis, first released the kestrel.

And off it went, and it immediately flew into a tree right next to Baba's Tree. And Jackie, who has done this dozens and dozens of times, so she's an expert with raptors, is going, “I've never seen this before. They always just fly away.”

This one has decided to hang out. That kestrel hung out on the tree next to Baba's tree for 15 minutes, and Jackie DeSantis was saying, “I don't understand it.”

And some of us were sort of knowingly saying, “Well, I think they feel a connection, or the kestrel feels a connection to this magical Baba's Tree. It doesn't want to leave.”

But the issue was actually that the red-tailed hawk was getting a little bit anxious in its enclosure. And Jackie was feeling like, “We need to get this red-tailed hawk out of here.” So she pulls out the red-tailed hawk, and gently releases it.

The kestrel sees the hawk and finally says, okay, it's time for me to make my exit. But then the hawk does this amazing swoop, flies in a circle, goes right by the branches of Baba's Tree, and then lands in the tree next to Baba's Tree.

It reinforced the feeling that there is something very powerful at Baba's Tree and at Avatar's Point.

And then finally, it made its very graceful exit, sort of out in the direction of Santa Paula Peak in the distance.

~Robert Turnage & Kristina Somma, Guest Caretakers

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"O bluebird, welcome back again..."

Your Friday photo is in honor of National Poetry Month…

This photo of a bluebird in the pond at Meher Mount was taken by guest caretaker and photographer Juan Mendez.

“O bluebird, welcome back again,
Thy azure coat and ruddy vest
Are hues that April loveth best,-
Warm skies above the furrowed plain.”

— John Burroughs, Writer and Naturalist

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The Bluebird

A wistful note from out the sky,
“Pure, pure, pure,” in plaintive tone,
As if the wand’rer were alone,
And hardly knew to sing or cry.

But now a flash of eager wing,
Flitting, twinkling by the wall,
And pleading sweet and am’rous call,
Ah, now I know his heart doth sing!

O bluebird, welcome back again,
Thy azure coat and ruddy vest
Are hues that April loveth best,
Warm skies above the furrowed plain.

The farm boy hears thy tender voice,
And visions come of crystal days,
With sugar-camps in maple ways,
And scenes that make his heart rejoice.

The lucid smoke drifts on the breeze,
The steaming pans are mantling white,
And thy blue wing’s a joyous sight,
Among the brown and leafless trees.

Now loosened currents glance and run,
And buckets shine on sturdy boles,
The forest folk peep from their holes,
And work is play from sun to sun.

The Downy beats his sounding limb,
The nuthatch pipes his nasal call,
And robin perched on treetop tall
Heavenward lifts his evening hymn.

Now go and bring thy homesick bride,
Persuade her here is just the place
To build a home and found a race
In Downy’s cell, my lodge beside.

~John Burroughs, Writer & Naturalist

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John Burroughs was one of the preeminent naturalists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a distinguished writer and conservationist.

For Burroughs, the return of the bluebird was one of the first signs of impending spring and a joyous occasion. His reference in the last line to “Downey’s cell” is the abandoned hole of a Downy Woodpecker.

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Source
10,000 Birds website, “The Bluebird by John Burroughs,” accessed March 19, 2026.

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"If you let yourself go, you will see God in that bird."

Your Friday photo…

Guest caretaker Juan Mendez photographed this turkey vulture in flight over Meher Mount. His comments about seeing God in nature are from his interview for the documentary film, Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience.

“If you let yourself go, you will see God in that bird.”

— Juan Mendez, Photographer and Guest Caretaker

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The following is an excerpt from Juan Mendez’s interview for Tree of Fire, the documentary film about Baba’s Tree at Meher Mount:

“Maybe one day Baba’s Tree will not be here, and we will be sad if we are alive at that time. But we have to remember God is above everything.

“You will find a way to connect to Him. You see a fox or you feel the breeze against in your face. That's a manifestation of God. So you just have to open your heart to to see that, to feel it.

“That’s why Avatar Meher Baba said you can appreciate God in nature. Trees, the wind, the birds, the fox, the turkey vultures are nature. If you take your time at Meher Mount, you're going to see species walking around or flying.

“You'll see the birds are majestic as they fly over you and fly over Baba’s Tree. So you're seeing God. If if you let yourself go, you will see God in that bird.”

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Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience

Tree of Fire is a heartfelt story of loss, survival, and spiritual connection. After a devastating fire, a once-thriving oak – blessed by Avatar Meher Baba – rises from the ashes to offer love and solace. The survival of Baba’s Tree becomes a living symbol of resilience and Divine love. Through personal testimonies, archival footage, and breathtaking imagery, the film invites viewers to rediscover their own capacity for healing, transformation, and spiritual awakening.

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"There's something magical that occurs when light shines on ordinary objects."

Your Friday photo...

Agnes Montano captured the sunlight emanating from a glorious sunrise as it reflected on the veranda at Meher Mount’s Visitor Center.

Looking outwards from the picture window in the reception area: The shadows of two Adirondack chairs, a small side table, a vase, bird decals on the window (used to deter birds from flying into the glass), and the branches of a Toyon tree are reflected on the sunshade, bringing to life this serene scene.

It is reminiscent of the softness, grace and elegance of an Asian silk screen painting.

“There’s something magical that occurs when light shines on ordinary everyday objects.

They can be transformed into beautiful aesthetic scenes.

Avatar Meher Baba’s light has that transformative effect in those that seek Him”

— Agnes Montano, Board Member, Meher Mount

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"I'm more of a sunset admirer..."

Your Friday photo…

Bing Heckman, volunteer and Meher Mount founding board member, spent a week as a temporary caretaker this summer. Here are his musings and Friday photo…

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“Sunrise. I look out the window, but I’m not getting up yet. I’m more of a sunset admirer. That said, the sunrise exudes serenity and awakening.”

— Bing Heckman, Founding Board Member

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When I arrived, it struck me that Meher Mount is very well cared for and maintained. I also saw that it’s teeming with life. 

There are many bird species, no doubt attracted by the birdfeeders and birdbaths. All are busy scurrying about landing, feeding, gathering, and dispersing. Some of the hummingbirds chase others off, defending a given feeder.

The lizards, butterflies, bees, and squirrels are also flying or running about. 

One is drawn to take time to listen to the sounds of the birds and a wind chime and to feel the gentle breeze. Maybe just sit and watch a hummingbird leisurely feed at the feeder.  

Breaking away from my routines at home, a quiet, leisurely pace emerges. At first, not sure what to do, but the day unfolds.

Time to think and reflect without distraction.

A new rhythm of the day comes about.

After a few days, one sees that the colorful California Orioles, crows, and other animals have their daily rhythms and routines, too.

Birds begin stirring at sunrise. After being active and a bit ruckus all day, they settle in about a half hour before sunset. There is quiet, but for an occasional chirp. 

Sunrise, I look out the window, but I’m not getting up yet. I’m more of a sunset admirer. That said, the sunrise exudes serenity and awakening.

There is no neglecting practical matters, just allowing a bit more space in between, managing to sit, listen, and see what is around. 

Is this a spiritual place? Everywhere is. This place just helps one see that. 

~Bing Heckman, Founding Board Member & Temporary Caretaker

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