Desert Morning

I am an early riser.  I get up with the birds, even on my days off.  My eyes popped open about 4:30am and I thought mmmmm, I get to sleep in.  I left my blinds open last night, and could see the sky beginning to get light.  You never know if there will be clouds in the sky until the sun begins to peek through them, and I wavered back and forth .... should I get up and head out?  The thought that a real photographer would get up and moving, just to get that next perfect shot made my decision for me. But I was surprised at what else came from it.

I hopped out of bed, splashed my face, brushed my teeth and ran a quick comb through my hair.  I grabbed my netbook, my camera and my cowgirl hat, a diet coke, a protein bar and two bottles of water. (well, you never know where things might lead!)  and I sped down the highway toward Superstition.  I pulled into the Needle Vista area, and parked.  The sun was just beginning to show itself.  I rolled down all my windows, and pulled out the netbook to make a few notes.

Here I am, sitting.  Listening. 

Watching as the desert wakes up.

The sky turns a wisp of clouds 

from crimson to pink to golden

as the sun rises.

The birds are awake, 

calling out to each other,

and the morning is so quiet,

you can hear 

the beat of their wings 

as they flit from one cactus to another.

I get out and walk into the desert

and catch a glimpse

of a bright yellow breasted bird.

I hear what sounds like a woodpecker

in the distance

and rustling in the underbrush 

as animals begin their day.

There air is calm and silent

as the sun begins to warm the mountains 

in the distance.

As the sun makes it way

up into the sky

shining down, 

warming my skin,

I can feel the intensity 

of the desert sun

and know it will be 

a warm, sun-filled day.