Each Day I Wake Excited for the Birds to Break Into Song
Nature prompt: Breathtaking experiences of bird watching
Yesterday I was preoccupied with my pranayama, a breathing exercise I engage in for two minutes before my morning meditation. The slow inhale/exhale through alternating nostrils relaxes my mind before I close my eyes to meditate for twenty minutes.
However, this morning was different.
I spotted a bird on the olive tree outside the lounge window I hadn’t seen before around our home. Our cottage is built on a slope, giving an elevated view of the upper branches, but it was difficult to pinpoint the bird’s identifying features.
I interrupted my pranayama to grab my glasses within reach on my writing desk, reckoning that if I went to fetch the binoculars from the kitchen, the bird would have already flown!
I took slow steps closer to the window for a clearer view. Now three hid in the camouflage of leaves!
One flew away as I watched, enabling me to make a mental note of the tail feathers. From what I saw of the remaining two, I knew these were rain birds — the Burchells Coucal, a member of the cuckoo family!
I completed my pranayama and meditation, then went to check my Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa. My copy is the 1990 version but still useful as they don’t change their feathers. Yay, I was right!
I love my morning meditation!
We live in a semi-rural region, with mountains and bush veld around us — a natural habitat for a variety of species. Their avian chorus creates a magnificent musical background as my brain slows into theta waves. I focus my attention on their birdsong, allowing it to override the sound of the wall clock ticking, the fridge humming and dogs barking.
Something magical happens every time.
During the last five minutes or so, like an orchestral concerto approaching its finale, they reach a crescendo as if we are connected to the universe’s oneness and they are celebrating with me.
Yesterday’s meditation was extra special with the addition of the rainbirds — a portent that Spring rains are coming soon!
Other angels that frequent our home:
When the flat next to our cottage was incomplete, with no windows or doors, an entire family of mocking chats occupied the space. They would hop into our spare room at the back when the French doors were open, looking for insects and also into our kitchen and through to our little lounge. We really missed them, but were blessed that a few have returned and one audacious fellow hops into the kitchen through to the lounge, where I can spy on him (her?) from my writing corner.
We also enjoy regular visits from ground scraper thrush who love to land on our tin roof and scratch away through the dry leaves and other natural debris which accumulates there. Perhaps they mistake our roof for the ground!
On the odd occasion, we spot a shy olive thrush settling on the garden wall — an introvert like me who flits up into the olive tree to hide.
Hubby and I only have each other for company, but we never feel alone.
Our feathered friends give us much joy and companionship — messengers of love and connection to the eternal rhythm of the universe.
Thank you for being here.
Let me share these inspiring stories from Reciprocal writers:
Fatunla Samuel — who is young to be so wise!
Joyce Nielsen Takes us on a magical trek in the Cascade Mountains.
Thank you Sahil Patel for this week’s nature prompt which was too tempting to ignore!
