Thursday, May 14, 2026, 47.8* F, 88% RH, 0631
Clouds rush as if they must meet a deadline leaving behind blue sky for others to fill, come to a full stop in northern sky where mountainous clouds are piled. In the distance the sound of traffic; locally, birds: Northern Flicker, Bay-breasted Warbler, Northern Yellow Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Crow, Nashville Warbler, Winter Wren, Common Yellowthroat, Ovenbird, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, White-throated Sparrow. The pond is still, reflecting, lower than yesterday.
Trying to get close to me as I put on my shoes, nose-to-tail the three stand like a giant necklace. They watch with eager eyes waiting to hear, “Okay. Let’s go outside.” But we’ve already been outside minutes before. They follow me to the kitchen. I press buttons to drip coffee, give them half a biscuit. As if attached to me by an invisible string they follow until I sit at my desk, then all lie down on their beds to rest.
Our mornings no longer have deadlines...they just begin.
Photo: LJ Austin
