I've just about had it with the blasted birds in my neighborhood. Oblivious to the time, the little devils are waking well before the sunrise and filling the air with their glorious, tireless and VERY LOUD singing. I know they're just announcing their presence and defending their territory. It works, already. I'm awake at 5:00 a.m. these days, and I'm ready to cede my land to them and move.

The big problem, of course, is that the sun has been rising earlier and earlier since way back on Jan. 5. This morning, at last, that progression ends. This morning's sunrise was the earliest of the year, occuring at 5:39 a.m. in Baltimore (a bit earlier if you live north or east of the city - later if you're west or south of us).

From here on out the sun will begin rising a little bit later each day until next Jan. 5, when it will pop over the eastern horizon at a lazy 7:27 a.m. EST. A much more civilized hour.

The next landmark on the calendar this month will be the summer solstice, which arrives at 2:11 p.m., June 21. That's the longest day of the year, and ushers in the shortest night - just 9 hours and 3 minutes in Charm City.

Then, on June 27, we'll enjoy the latest sunset of the year, at 8:37 p.m. EDT in Baltimore. From that date forward until Dec. 7, the sun will set a little earlier each night.

Why does the sun follow such a complicated and unexpectedly asymmetrical pattern. It's a bear to explain. Here's one of the better attempts I've read. And here's a site where you can look up sunrise and sunset times for your location. Moon rise and set times, too.

Sleep fast.