A Dawn Chorus

13 May

Written By

The first Sunday in May is International Dawn Chorus Day. So as the rest of the household remained deep in slumber, I tiptoed downstairs, put the kettle on for a cup of tea to take outdoors to listen to this celebration of nature’s greatest symphony.

It was a magical moment. The garden was shrouded in an inky darkness with just the silhouette of the trees and the sounds of the birds as they began their tuneful morning ritual. First came the blackbirds, robins and thrushes. Then it was the turn of the wrens and the wood pigeons - and it wasn't until it was getting light that the blue tits and sparrows joined in.

A couple of days later I got up in good time (not quite before the birds on this occasion) and headed out for an early morning dog walk with my camera. These photos are of one of my favourite paths in our village which leads to a beautiful meadow and the river beyond. It's a narrow passageway, with a burgeoning spring hedgerow, clouds of cow parsley and forget-me-nots spilling onto the path. The light was so gentle and beautiful, bathing the foliage and the dog in a shimmering halo.