I’m not really a morning person (and some of us around here definitely aren’t!), but this month’s early morning sky is making it a bit easier to get out of bed before sunrise. January 2016 begins with the Moon and Venus and Saturn forming a nice cozy group in the eastern sky about an hour before sunrise on Wednesday the 6th–don’t miss it!
View looking east at 6:45 AM CST using Stellarium software
Here’s the view as you look towards the rising Sun. Although you can’t tell from the image, the Moon is in its waning crescent phase and will look a bit like a capital letter C. To the lower right of Venus and Saturn, you may see the bright red-giant star Antares.
In the coming weeks, there will be more good things to see in the morning sky… but this will get you started. Don’t hit that snooze button–grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!
Welcome to a fabulous fall morning! It’s great to feel that crisp, cool air and listen to it softly swoosh through the trees. It makes sitting on the couch with a cat and a blanket extra heavenly. And, bonus… it’s Saturday! I’m working my way through my first (BIG!) cup of coffee while a sweet downy woodpecker taps softly on the lilac bush just outside the window. She is working much harder for her breakfast than me.The crows are also energetically calling to each other, no doubt getting the day’s plans in place. In my neighbor’s yard, a cardinal cheeps out an important message to someone. Two chickadees in the front peach tree have a spirited discussion. Since before sunrise, about 6:30 or so these days, the birds have been busy. One of the benefits of fall is sleeping with the windows open, and it’s wonderful to wake to these sounds of nature.
Meanwhile, it’s now 7:30, and someone is taking his first big nap of the day. As this guy has gotten older, he’s been more about getting his daily napping in than worrying about what the birds are up to. Besides, he’s got the whole day ahead of him… what’s the rush?
As the sun rises, the wind picks up a bit. The leaves continue their whooshing and a few crickets add their two-cents-worth to the mix, but now other noises start to invade this restful soundscape. In the subdivision behind our house, a garbage truck makes it’s rounds. Unusual for a Saturday, but this is the weekend after Labor Day. A helicopter flies over; two neighbors out walking stop to chat; cars drive their owners to the store or some other errand. It all adds up to create a background of white noise that too often masks the sounds of nature.
So, it’s important to always be listening. Every now and then, the white noise lessens or even stops. For a second, the world seems completely silent, silent enough to catch your attention, silent enough to make you stop and look around, wondering what’s wrong. Then, the sounds of nature emerge. Once again you can hear the whooshing of the wind through the leaves and the conversations of the birds and crickets. And what else? The rustling of a bush or the cracking of a branch–woodchuck? Squirrel? Chipmunk? Close your eyes and take a few moments to listen. The sounds of fall are not to be missed, and soon… all too soon… the white noise will return.
Garden & Sky 