A different kind of ray appears during stormy situations, one that I think is far more beautiful than simple sunlight. The dark clouds form a perfect contrasting background for the light rays escaping the gaps therein. Any humidity in the air gives more life to those rays as they punch through the gloom, and then there are always birds sitting around staring at it and tweeting. That’s where I come in.

For the vertically oriented, here’s another take. These birds sat still for me for several minutes, finally scattering when I turned the truck around to head back toward home. The stoic tree, however remained.