The Wily Hunter

  Early this afternoon, Mark and I were enjoying the warm sunshine when he suddenly pointed out a hawk that had landed in the yon oak tree.  He was in the wicker chair and I was on the front step.  My view of the bird was blocked by the arbor and the side of the house.  I eased off the step and searched the trees for the bird.  Mark kept telling me to look in the oak tree.  Well, there are dozens and dozens of oak trees in the yard.  Which one??  Which oak tree??  Mark knew if he moved too much the hawk would take flight so he described things around the tree.  I found it!  Right at that moment, the bird took flight down the hill to the dead pine.  Well, that just meant that I needed to hike a bit.

  I slipped around to the side of the garden and down behind the grape arbor.  Ok, bird.  Sit still!  Don't you go gliding down over the Bayou.  Wait for me!  The hawk only scanned the marsh.  The head swiveled back and forth as it searched for any movement.  Since the hawk was facing away from me, I was able to get relatively near before it was aware that I was approaching.  It seemed unperturbed that I was edging nearer and nearer.  Suddenly, the bird perked up and stared at the marsh.  It stretched its head forward and stared.  Then, those broad wings stretched and down went the bird!  The attempt was futile, however, as it came up with empty talons.  Whatever it had found lived for another day and perhaps learned a lesson in survival....Watch for hawks!  

  This particular hawk does not seem to fear us as it comes to the yard often.  A few days ago, Mark was shucking oysters down near the marsh edge when the bird decided to visit him.  It perched itself on the top of yet another broken pine and settled in to watch the man at work.  Later, I am sure the bird returned in hopes that mice, rats or some other small rodent would be lured to the empty (yet, smelly) shells. 

 

   This bird is a wily hunter!  It is welcome to stay around the place even though it means I have to feed the songbirds on the ground BENEATH the flower bench.  The hawk is doing its part in keeping the place free of rodents.  Besides, I need a new friend!  (And this one is great at that social distancing thing that is required.)