Birdbath

When you look at this photo – what do you see first? The bird, its reflection, the frog, the water, the birdbath?

Now take a closer look. What else do you see? Notice the other more subtle things, the reflections of sky and trees on the water, and the ripples on the surface – as if the bird has just taken a drink or jumped out after taking a quick bath. What else do you see? Some tiny blossoms in the right corner or the photo, and others over on the left, the green of the surrounding garden, the twigs of plants that will soon have bright green leaves. It's so much more than a birdbath.

Settle in and listen – what do you hear? It's quiet and tranquil here, except for some birdsong. The sweet sound of the little sparrow, calling to other birds that it's safe to come over and enjoy the water. Nothing else here but a stone frog..... it's safe and peaceful.

The air is cool, refreshing and clean. It's as if it's been cleansed by a spring rain. Take a deep breath of that sweet smell, fill your lungs with that delicious scent of fresh, clean air.

You might even close your eyes now and notice that the scent becomes sweeter with your next breath in - and now you hear the sounds of other birds flying in – the quick flapping of their little wings, their cheeps and excited twitters as they happily join their friend at the birdbath. In a few moments, the birdbath is a busy place, and you hear their wings splashing in the water - and then just as quickly as they arrived, they scatter and gently settle into the surrounding trees.

And you've enjoyed a few moments of serenity.

Photo credit: T Hopkins