The Morning Chorus
Just the birds recorded in my backyard in 15 minutes yesterday morning on the Merlin App - from my bedroom window!
The Morning Chorus
There is nothing more peaceful than slow mornings-when all the sounds of the earth, other than the morning chorus, are in far off slumber. A four-or five-inch window opening allows in the most wonderful choir - which sings of diversity, harmony, struggle, peace. I am always reminded of one of my favorite quotes – “the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." - Henry van Dyke.
In an hour or so the morning hum and rush and rattle will begin. The new house going up nearby, the trucks making deliveries in town, the leaf blowers and lawn mowers, neighbors rushing off to work. But, early morning, when the sun is just beginning to rise- reminds me of all the earth at its very beginning-the stark and beautiful sound of quiet. A golden glow filling the room. The sun slowly lighting the blank canvas, birds singing their random musical score, a vision of heaven. Oh, what a glorious song.
And what might add perfection to the moment – a cup of tea with honey- sipped slowly and ceremoniously. A mindful visit of warmth and renewal awakening the soul and the spirit. My tired sneakers sit nearby- laces untied and ready- reminding me of the morning walk I should be on- but there is some level of gravity holding me in place rather than rushing off into the morning rattle. And sometimes I listen- and sometimes I sit- and sometimes I give those sneakers the morning off.
The ‘Merlin’ app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology on my phone – resting on my open window sill - has registered 35 different species of birds this morning – right in my own backyard. The most fruitful morning to date. Some stopping by at one of the birdfeeders, some singing from the woods out back and some just flying overhead. The spring migration seems to bring numerous interesting visitors to our yard. I am never able to see each one but their calls are recorded and a small photo is shown of each-along with the invitation to investigate them further. There are times that the app isn’t quite sure and occasionally makes a guess-which is marked by a red dot. I am forever astounded by the beauty and the variety of who in my neighborhood is out there singing into the morning. This free app alone makes it worth owning a cell phone. Sure, many mornings I just close my eyes and listen- other mornings I feel like a genuine avian sleuth. Supporting Cornell’s work also helps me to feel part of this wondrous world of feathered neighbors.
Every morning a call to be part of it all- an open window-an open invitation an open heart.
May the sun ☀️ shine down on your mornings- the sound of birdsongs 🐦⬛ 🎶 fill your soul and the peace of this new day fill your heart ❤️!