My reward for eating breakfast in a civilized manner was a first-row seat at the birds’ impromptu gala. Every species of little bird I’ve ever seen was in my garden at once, even the titmouse and bluebird, and the Bewick’s wren, those three that I rarely see. In whatever direction I looked, one was hopping around a tree or a path or in transit across the garden.
Instead of carrying my bowl to the computer in the corner, I sat at the table looking straight through the glass across the patio where I could take in the chapel feeder rocking more violently than usual in the wind, and the wisteria vine above it, gently dropping long yellow leaves to pirouette all the way down. The birds who like seeds flitted and flew from their chapel to their fountain spa and made up their aerial choreography on the fly, riding the current of every sudden gust and gale.
Sparrows and juncos, house finches and goldfinches, scribbled wild and invisible designs in the air as they swooped from the plum tree down to the birdbath, and to pots under the fountain to peck around for a few seconds among the hens and chicks, and or newly-planted violas.
It seemed that even their pushing each other off their perches was part of the joy of the morning, and occasionally two or three would do a synchronized pattern of fancy footwork that carried them a distance around the fountain’s rim in a chorus line. One sparrow hopped off a pot down to the ground, but made the trip by means of a high arch — maybe just to feel the lift under his wings. Because it’s fun.
Enjoy the weather!
Gladsome Lights 
Wonderful that you did not miss this morning madness!
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🙂
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Oh thank you for having breakfast without the computer! I enjoy the same lift of morning joy watching the little creatures of God waltz and spring and twitter or scamper each morning as I have breakfast. But your description really put a cherry on top this morning because I love word descriptions so much and feel validated in my own morning joy!
Leslie
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Oh, Gretchen. I enjoy your word picture of the birds’ breakfast. As I do your compelling yourself to eat a civilized breakfast. You’ve inspired me to do try to do the same… maybe when the toddler is asleep.
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Yes, the birds have been in a happy frenzy here too! Some days I am amazed at how much joy it brings me to have them call my garden home, or snack shack, or even just pit stop…as some of them are definitely just traveling through. I too appreciate them one and all.
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You write SO beautifully!
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The birds did it to me!
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I mean, their message was so important, I had to try translating it into human talk. Thank you, birds!
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I love watching the birds in my backyard too. Every day they seem to empty the feeder. I wonder if, when they come the next morning and food is once again available, do they think O good, someone has provided more food for us?
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I love to be outside!
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Hurrah for all of your bird visitors! I’ve been discouraged to read about how many species are experiencing sharp declines in recent years. Not sure — other than not letting house cats roam freely outside — what we human beings need to do to help their populations rebound… They are a joy and a blessing. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your bird-filled morning.
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Just tonight I heard what I’m pretty sure was a Great Horned Owl outside my door, for the first time ever. I got to looking at ideas for building a nesting cone of the sort they like in a tree. The Cornell site, allaboutbirds.org said that the fall is the time to do it, so they will find it in February when they start nesting… I might have to wait until January to start one more project!
I do have one birdhouse, and the fountain is a real draw. I hadn’t really thought about how to slow the decline of their population, only how to keep them coming to me! 😉
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What a wonderful way to start your day! It sounds so peaceful to watch the birds while eating breakfast.
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You are right, Sheryl, it was peaceful. It calmed me down, to be patient and not try to multi-task — unless you count bird-watching as a task 😉
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The “flying, flitting, swooping, and pecking” you so beautifully describe was definitely a show worth watching! (Much better than any computer screen.)
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Right-on writing! I could see, yes, but I was so pleased to feel too. The whole thing helped me realize what I have as well– just beyond the window. I hope to look more closely now.
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How delightful! If I had a show like that, I might never leave the breakfast table.
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