On My Street

I saw a hawk on my street.

I was leaving the subdivision for the grocery store. My milk had gone sour, and I needed a few other things so I decided to take a trip. And that's when I saw him.

About 4 houses down, standing in the front yard was a hawk. Dark and mottled, I think he was either a broad-winged or a Red-tailed. I can only tell you this after looking him up, so I really have no idea if he had a red tail or not. I didn't have my camera.

He was standing on something though. He had just caught lunch when I slowed my car to stare at him. He didn't look away. "You can't have my lunch," he was telling me.

And oh was he gorgeous. Dark plumage, even on his chest, which you don't see every day.

And there's a thought I had about this. Did I notice hawks before today, or was I too busy with my own thoughts? I'd like to think I would notice such things. But he existed before today, and I don't remember the last time I saw one. In fact, I don't remember seeing one in my neighborhood, so what does that mean?

I like to come up with fancy observations that make sense of the world around me. I'll let go of that this time. I saw a hawk, and for me, that's rare. And he was gorgeous.

I'll just enjoy it.

---Laura