In the beginning and it was the beginning, January 1, 2008. For me, this image is very spiritual: the hand reaching out of the darkness into the light, the bird flying out of the darkness into the light. This represents the hope and the promise with which we start every new year. I hope this image has carried through for you.
You are right -- given that added verbal context, the image speaks even more eloquently. Instead of calling it "bird" you could call it "In the beginning..."
A true Tim shot --- the sun cupped in hand, the bird soaring towards its warmth, the contrast gesture (peace) vs. tumultuous dark clouds (war). Some say shots like this are lucky but you and I know better than that. You saw the birds in the area, you saw the statue's gesture, and you saw the hole the sun was burning in the clouds and you found the spot and the moment that made them all come together.
