Sunset on the Mountain

We headed up the Old Gardiner Road to smoke Alex's prayer pipe this evening. We found a patch of grass to sit in surrounded by small sage plants. As Alex filled the pipe, we noticed the sounds of the songbirds filling the air. The setting sun lit the bottom of the gray clouds with a rim of pink-red. As we smoked, the chirping birds grew louder, surrounding us with their song as they grew comfortable with our quiet presence. Eventually, one bird flew in nearby, hopping on and off a glacial rock embedded in the earth. (An lbb - little brown bird - in birding terms. Discounted by bird sighting collectors, but appreciated by those of us who know that they are the ones who give us the songs.) As the sun set, we sent our prayers out to the surrounding mountains and fading blue sky and meditated on the songs of our new feathered companions.