One of the most memorable experiences I've had (and one that will stay with me for a very long time).
"Take 1" ... I was hanging laundry out to dry at our little desert abode and realized Molly kept barking while looking towards the north fence. As the dogs will often bark when someone drives by or rides a bike, I ignored her for a while, until I realized she was very specific in where she was focusing her attention ... the Screw Bean Mesquite where my bird feeders hang. I stopped what I was doing and began focusing my attention there as well. A grin hit my face when I realized that one of my local hawks was perched in its shaded branches. Upon persuading Molly to stop barking, I slowly moved closer and closer to the tree, all while watching the hawk (as it watched me and the songbirds that flitted in and out of the shadows).
As I did not want to startle this beautiful hawk, I proceeded with very calm intention and crossed 30 feet of desert yard in about 10 minutes. As I got closer, I could finally make out the features of a small male Cooper's Hawk (instead of the female Sharp-Shinned I was expecting - as she is a frequent guest in our yard). My heart jumped! This is one of my favorite hawks (so much so that I even have a tattoo of a soaring Cooper's Hawk). Since it didn't appear that I was disturbing him, I continued to move closer until I reached the steps to my side patio. This spot afforded me a front row seat, so I took it. And here I sat for the next 90 minutes!
And I would have never predicted all I saw in those 90 minutes. I watched as songbirds congregated within mere feet of where the hawk perched, with no apparent interest in the possible danger he posed. I watched as a White-Tailed Antelope Squirrel caught the hawk's attention enough to warrant a short chase and then laughed as the squirrel scolded the hawk from beneath its shelter of some of my yard art. I honestly felt as though I was watching a friendly "game" rather than a serious hunt.
I watched as small Desert Cottontail Rabbits came out for their evening dinner and drink right underneath the hawk's chosen branch, with nary a rustle of threat towards them. I watched the hawk groom and preen, fanning tail feathers, wings, combing its breast with its beak. I watched it watch everything but take no action. I anticipated with every fluttering arrival of a new bird to the tree that THIS would be the one he would go after, but he never did. All of the drama of those 90 minutes was created in my own imagination of what I thought was possible. Reality was, in fact, peaceful ... a moment of respite from the heat, shelter from the sun and a time to just be still. What a beautiful lesson. My mind is still appreciating the symbolism of all the things that didn't happen and those that did instead.
I am thankful ... honored that I was allowed to see something that I would have never guessed at on my own ... allowed to be part of a moment unlike any I had ever experienced. Allowed, for a moment, to commune with, to spend time with a being that tugs at my heart with every soaring vision.
And all without a photograph of this first visit ... but the image is etched forever.
"Cooper's Hawk Encounter - Take 2" ... I had just hung one of the new Montana pieces on the wall to photograph and went to open the big drape that covers the sliding glass door (helping to keep us cool) for some more light. As I pulled the fabric to brighten the room, who do I see but the Cooper's Hawk who flies up, lands on the railing a mere 6 feet away, watches me watching him (yes, my heart was beating fast) ... 10 seconds later away he flies. Of course, I just can't wipe the grin off my face. Still no photo, but what a blessing!
"Cooper's Hawk Encounter - Take 3" ... Visited 6 times by the hawk throughout the day, including another close-up encounter through the sliding glass door. Did catch a quick photo of hawk-butt as he caught some late evening prey, but wasn't anything
