Blast That Hawk! - pipTalk Forums

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HEG
Junior Member

since 2002-01-18

Posts 42

0 posted 2002-03-04 11:49 PM

Looking out into my backyard at mid-day,
I spot not a single bird at my four feeders.
Even the squirrels have not come to play.
What’s up? I’ve always had flocks of ‘seeders’.

Just then movement at the back fence down near the ground
catches my eye. A young hawk stands there; his only movement is
his head slowly turning. Nothing in the yard is making a sound.
This one small hawk has made my backyard exclusively his.

“Well, that certainly explains why there is not a bird in sight.
But, why is he on the ground? Maybe he’s hurt, sick, or weak.”
Suddenly, the hawk, clutching a sparrow in his talons, takes flight.
“Oh, he’s made a kill! He’s taken another from the ranks of the meek.”

Seen previously, I had hoped this hawk had been just passing through.
Now he seems to have driven away most of my bird population
by regularly hunting in my yard from his home along the nearby bayou.
Blast that hawk! He’ll keep me from being able to watch Nature in action…

ASIDE : This poem is a companion poem to one I wrote previously about this same young hawk making an unsuccessful hunt in my backyard. That poem, entitled “The Predatory Life”, may be read at http://www.gillelands.com/poetry/ if interested.

Kit McCallum

Administrator

Member Laureate

since 2000-04-30

Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada

1 posted 2002-03-05 07:08 AM

Oh, I know this scene well HEG. I used to live in the country, and not only worried for the birds at the feeder, but my dog as well. I once had a hawk swoop down while I was throwing the frisbee for my old girl. It pulled up at the last minute, but I always kept a wary watch just the same! Much enjoyed the visuals and memories this brought back.

Best wishes,
/Kit

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

2 posted 2002-03-05 08:48 AM

What you see now, with the Hawk in play, is life at it's richest, my friend. You'll still see your backyard life, but not in the idylic park like setting you had, but the reality of
everyday existance. I have observed and raised a number of hawks, many of the other wild birds, squirrels, and such, and have always been amazed with the interplay of their lives, their individual and group personalities, their zest. Many stories could I tell.

Lovely write...

jwesley

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

3 posted 2002-03-05 10:59 PM

(big hugggsssssss) Awwwwww, sparrows are one of my favorites birds of all, I too always feel sad when nature attacks each other, this one made me cry just thinking of that poor sparrow and other birds! (sigh) This is sad but wonderful, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet friend, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Pilgrimage
Member Elite

since 2001-12-04

Posts 3945
Texas, USA

4 posted 2002-03-05 11:26 PM

I enjoyed this. We don't get hawks around here, but my little black and white cat has put me out of the bird feeding business. I saw him jump and take a bird out of the air as it was coming up to the feeder. I felt like a murderer, so , no more bird feeding.

Nan

Skyfire

Member Elite

since 2000-12-27

Posts 3381
Riding

5 posted 2002-03-06 12:31 PM

*sigh* Don't you just love Nature? I love the way you wrote this!

Just don't fall in love with me and no one will get hurt

peaches73533
Senior Member

since 2001-11-04

Posts 981
OK, USA

6 posted 2002-03-06 01:15 AM

Isn't nature grand?sometimes it seems cruel to me, but such is life.
Peaches

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