First, just let me say that I really am a "morning person."  I wake up very early even on days when I am totally free and have no commitments.  How early is early you say?  Well, it is not uncommon for me to get up at 5am even without an alarm clock!  As shocking as that sounds you will be even more surprised (or perplexed) to know that I don't like coffee and I don't need any type of caffeine stimulant to get me going or keep my energy levels up!  I simply like the early morning time of day.  The quiet stillness, the slow and gradual shift as the darkness turns to light, enjoying a dramatic sunrise, the delicate chirping of the birds....Wait, WHAT???

Birds chirping?  This morning was different!  While I was still sleeping, I was awakened by a persistent "coooing" sound.  The sounds were becoming very annoying if I'm being honest!  After leaving the comfort of dreams and becoming fully awake, I knew that the insistent bird calls were being made by a Mourning Dove.  Sure enough, as I peeked through a crack in the window blinds, I could see him on a tree branch not too far from my bedroom window.  From this vantage point I had a great view of him as there were no branches or other obstructions blocking my line of sight.  I quickly grabbed my camera hoping that he would still be there when I returned and lucky for me, he was!  After I took a photo, he turned his head towards me, blinked his eyes, ruffled his feathers and then took off with the sound of his slapping wings.  How great it was to start the day off and get a great capture right off the bat!  You never know what turn of events will take place that will put you in front of your next photo.  Here is Mr. Mourning Dove below.