Birds

work, sing and play
like the songbird greets the sun
with thanks for a new day
and grace from an old one

I’ve mentioned that I have a knack for the obvious. So this post is not going to surprise you.

Of all the creatures I’ve personally encountered, birds are the most spiritually inspiring. First off, they personify the very essence of what it means to be free. Why else would we use magnificent creatures of flight to symbolize our country’s freedom. The National symbol Bald Eagle, the nations Bluebird, and our state birds. The Brown Thrasher is Georgia’s.

I sit for hours on my front porch swing and don’t grow tired of the myriad of feathered song our yard is blessed with. We are fortunate to be host to a number of different song birds at our house. It’s a part of God’s music that soothes the healing soul. 

Birds are fun and fascinating to watch as they move from here to there on what seems like spontaneous whims of fancy. Especially around my wife’s busy feeders. Their purposeful quick movements at the “squirrel proof” food stations gives the impression of a very businesslike species.

But I do notice them taking lengthy breaks on distant tree limbs from time to time. Smacking their beaks on their latest prize morsel. Then they may sit and perch for good while, simply observing, maybe wondering if I’m ever going to get up from my swing.

But their mode of travel is the most inspiring of all. In less than a quick second, the small Aves are airborne on route to anywhere a particular whim takes them. I envy that freedom. Some are quite aerobatic, like the Titmouse. Their quick maneuvers can be a challenge to visually follow. It’s as if each one of them is demonstrating a real-time example of “free”, for the benefit of us meager humans.

Their habits show us what it might be like to be unencumbered by our fundamentally earth-based design. 

My spirit travels with them.

Image Wikipedia: Tufted Titmouse

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By Ed Caldwell

I’m mostly retired. Except for some unavoidable honey-dos, I pretty much goof off for a living now. My last career job was designing internet operating circuit boards along with a distinguished team of engineers, managers and support personnel. Prior to that I was an electronics technician evolving into circuit board design in the defense industry working with tactical missile systems. My first career job was a professional artist. During my younger years I worked many odd jobs beginning at age nine with a newspaper delivery route.

2 comments

  1. I agree – birds are fascinating. I noticed an enormous Hawk flying back and forth across my new back yard yesterday. wouldn’t swear to it, but I believe I saw him give my 20-pound dog the side-eye (can hawks smack their chops?) – I don’t know that the Hawk could carry off my dog, but if I were a squirrel I’d worry some! Looking forward to more critter-watching in this neighborhood.

    1. Hi Linda, Sounds like a nice backyard! We have hawks too, small red shouldered and a big red tail. Neither are much of a threat to a 20 LB dog but you never should say never. 🙂

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