Have you ever listened to the Morning?

[theoldchick]

Just get up before sunrise, sit by the window, and listen your yard come to life?

In the dark just before dawn I start my day at 4:50 am. As I make my way to the light switch, I always hear an owl call, "Who?"

'Just me', I think to the owl.

Then I hear my dog's tags jingle as he comes awake.

'Just me,' I think to the dog.

Then Stan the Man crows in the darkness.

'Just me,' I think to the rooster.

This morning I sat and listened instead of charging out the back door to start the chores.

A Mockingbird called.

'Who?" said the Owl.

'Me!' crowed Stan.

Hunting dogs bayed in the distance and the morning slowly continued to come to life.

Crows started shouting. Bluejays challenged the Mockingbirds.

'Who?" said the Owl.

A deer snorted. The mist gathered.

A Red-tail called to the sun.

'Who?" called the Owl.

The Crows began to gather and make plans to attack the hawk.

The mist continued to rise.

The Mockingbirds really began to sing. The silence was sudden and loud just as the sun peeked over the horizon as if the birds where holding their breath.

Joyous bird-song filled the air. Mourning doves called softly. Crows shouted at the hawk who shrieked in dismay. Cardinals tweeted as Wrens twitted.

'Who?' said the Owl.

'Just me,' I thought and went out to greet the morning.

 

[conny63malies]

i dont have that luxury. But sometimes i go outside at night and hear coyotes or TAPS being played. Or this weekend i can hear the carnival.

 

[ChickiKat]

wow, that gave me goosebumps..

 

[TigerLilly]

Loved the pics & the narative! This is why I choose to live in a rural area. From the crickets to the bullfrogs, I love it all.

 

[sourland]

Yes! I listen both to the sounds of the morning and those of dusk. The sounds of the morning spark me up and send me off to my day. Those of the evening help me to relax and wind down. As usual like your photographs.

Slightly off topic: Around here the mockingbirds no longer sing. I really think that it has to do with the burgeoning cooper's hawk population. The days when a male would sit on either the roof or highest point available going through his reptoire of sounds/songs are gone. We still have mockingbirds, but they have become very secretive.

 

[theoldchick]

I can't imagine a Mockingbird not singing, but goes to show how adaptive those birds are!

 

[sourland]

I'm guessing that those that sang attracted the hawks and were eaten allowing non singing males to propagate? It's sad. I miss their songs and antics.

 

[dewey]

Just beautiful! Thank you.

 

[theoldchick]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed my Morning!

 

[Avalon1984]

I loved the pictures and words, thank you! One of these days I will try that too. Must find me an owl first... maybe wild turkeys will count too