My morning routine is simple, I wake up, stress about the day.
I walk to the back door where the cat is waiting. He looks at me, slow blinks, turns his head to look out as a reminder it’s time to open the yard.
Before I open the door, I admire the lil guys peacefully enjoying the feeders and the mulched yard. Sparrows, thrashers, finches, towhees, and doves gorge on any seed they find or flick through debris looking for snacks.
I open the door, the small birds’ wings flutter into action and they lift out of the yard. Save for some regulars or those brave at heart.
I step outside and the cat follows me out. I turn the valve to my water hose to water some of the potted plants. I move to refresh the bird baths, removing feathers, leaves, and debris.
By this point, the word is out and a small flock gathers on the power line that cuts across the yard.
I walk to turn off the water and as my back is turned to the yard, I hear the sound of fluttering wings mixed with a whispered cooing.
I turn around and the gathering is eagerly waiting, some pacing, for they know I have one trick up my sleeve. A handful of seed reserved for them.
I grab the seed and walk toward the fellas.
If I am too slow, one may choose to land on my hand and eat the seed while the others wait. This will cause one of the others to fly up to knock it down so it has to eat with the rest of them.
I throw the mixed seed, they go wild. Wings in the air. Aggressive cooing. Scrambling.
It’s a nice morning.
Throughout the day, I stand at the backdoor to watch how the birds use the yard. The small birds return and hog the feeder while the rest cycle through the baths and the sunny spots.
I envy the birds.