For the birds

I was trying to go wordless with the experience of our latest morning ritual. But that was really for the birds. 

Every morning since their arrival, these beautiful creatures have been gathering at daybreak like a crowd of worshipers in joyous anticipation. No need for an alarm clock here. Their songs are an equally reliable and far more pleasant proclamation of the gift of a brand new day.

Some seem to wait in the trees with the highest branches, wanting to be the first to see the sun. Others come to the crabapple tree outside our window, too hungry to wait.  

Typically they leave just before daybreak, as if to escape the camera's eye.

But today they lingered just a few minutes longer.  Lovely.

By the way, I am guest blogging today over at "The Rewind".  I'm hosting a discussion about William P. Young's novel The Shack.  If you've read it, I bet you have an opinion!  Come check it out, and share your thoughts.  There will be a few different posts dedicated to discussing the book.