From My Gardens

My “Red” Garden

 

 

My “Pink” Garden

 

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Now I tell you a story of Love. Most of what you will read is conjecture on my part, yet my Heart is telling me this is truth. I saw with my very own eyes a Labor of Love that I don’t think many humans would do.

I didn’t actually see the kill, but in glancing out my window I saw

a majestic male Red Tail Hawk in one of my gardens. Watching, I saw him eating. Curious as to what this hawk was eating, I continued to watch, becoming more puzzled as time ticked by.

He seemed to be eating only a little. Then he began looking in every direction as if casing the joint, so to speak. After many minutes went by he flew into one of the nearby bushes and then flew off. Curious I just had to see the kill. To my astonishment I saw a large male squirrel, with only a few bites taken. This was becoming even more of a mystery. I knew that hawk just would not leave a huge meal like this behind.

So I continued to watch. Hours went by. And then he flew back. I believe he had been watching making sure it was very very safe to move his kill. Why? Because as I watched it became evident this hawk was weak, and near the point of exhaustion.

I witnessed this hawk attempting to fly with the squirrel in his talons, but he just could not. That squirrel was too heavy for him. Gasping and panting with open beak, the hawk hobbled to the middle of our backyard dragging that squirrel. In a desperate attempt he managed to fly a couple of times only a few feet off the ground bringing his catch with him. By the time he arrived two properties East of us in front of a huge Willow Tree in an agonizingly slow and painful process, I knew what was going on. He was bringing food to his nest.

I believe that hawk denied himself a meal he desperately needed for the sake of his young brood. He was weak from hunger. He was taking a huge chance that he himself would be hurt in moving his kill so his young family and probably yes his mate could eat. Unfortunately, my attention was pulled away from the window for no more then a minute, and by the time I went back to the window he had somehow managed to fly up into that tree with the squirrel to feed his family.

I stood there stunned. Completely. I had just witnessed a selfless act of Love, putting the needs of hunger aside in order for his growing family to eat. And I also believe, he took a few bites of that squirrel to make sure that the meat was not tainted in any way. Once he knew that meat was good, back he flew into my garden to carry his prize off to his family. What an incredible event to witness!!

And no, I did not videotape this event. Some events are just so extraordinary they are meant to be watched. Besides, I did not wish to intrude upon his privacy. As it is, he knew I was watching. The privilege of being trusted by this bird of prey I took seriously and I was not about to betray that trust. I had zero urge to videotape what transpired. So I did not.

Video/Photography/ “From My Gardens”/ 2019©AmyRose Photography
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