Early Morning: Early Morning, Spring, 2014

The early morning dawns with a momentary beam of blinding sunlight heading straight up, reaching into the low lying, storm clouds, precariously hanging over the lake. Moments later, the sun totally disappears and mischievous, snow flurries claim the victory.

That's the introduction to spring here, this year.

The birds are silent early this morning, not inspired to sing when it appears about to snow, but this kind of weather cannot last much longer, as it is officially spring today. That is an indisputable fact!

The singing of the early morning birds will soon proclaim the final vestiges of winter and introduce the reality of spring.

Have you ever noticed that there is a very distinct sound that birds make, especially on early mornings in the spring, when there is an unexpected, warming trend they cannot ignore? Somehow, they are seem to be invigorated with fresh, new found energy and their excitement can be heard in every chirp.

No one knows exactly when that will happen in the spring, not even the birds themselves. Perhaps it is that mysterious element of surprise that triggers the sudden transition and the inevitable awakening of their mating calls.

But there is more to it than that!

Have you ever noticed an element of pure joy in early morning bird sounds, regardless of the season? Birds do not ever awaken unhappy. If anything, they are overjoyed with the light of dawn bursting forth on the horizon. Any farmer will attest to the reality of the joyful crowing of a rooster, as it sits on a fence and awakens its barnyard world. It almost takes on the role of a scheduled alarm clock, and a happy sounding one, at that.

Listen closely for the sounds of the early morning sea gulls, perched on the rocks by the lake. They arise early, seeking prey upon which to dine, often swooping down from the air over the water, whenever they have found a morsel or two. They are happy in their role as scavengers. The early morning crows are a watchful, but happy crew too, cawing away excitedly at even the slightest hint of an intruder in their self-proclaimed domain.

Early in the morning, tiny birds twitter in the tree branches, flitting from tree to tree looking for bugs or worms. None of them are unhappy. 

In fact, unlike many people, unhappiness is not programmed into their agenda, especially early in the morning. A mourning dove awakens and coos, not unhappily, even though to some, it may sound like a song of mourning. 

What is there to be sad about? 

A woodpecker awakens and begins hammering on tree trunks looking for insects to dine upon, immediately upon rising. Ever have a canary burst into a beautiful song in the early morning, in sync with the dawn?

In 2014, early morning spring dawn will have its own unique face that few may remember in years to come, but they may recall experiencing one of the coldest, snowiest winters, for many years. Perhaps that is why spring 2014 is so welcome this year.