It leaped in front of my car from a small patch of forest on my left. It was in flight. This was no common bird. Its large and broad wings moved slowly with great strength, creating flight and bearing grace unlike any I have seen.
At first, I thought it was a vulture because I have seen many recently on roadsides feasting on fresh roadkill. However, its feathers were painted in various shades of brown and its head was covered and regal. There was no evidence of the scavenger behaviors of the Turkey Vulture. This bird looked like it was on a mission. Its eyes had purpose and every inch of it seemed to tremble with intensity.
As it perched on a tree in an open field, I realized what it was. A hawk. Red-tail to be exact. Its beak continued where others drop off and curved downward in a piercing scythe-like shape. This creature is designed to hunt and kill. Never in my life have I seen such grace and beauty in a species which wreaks havoc on billions of creatures. I now understand why the mole was driven underground by evolution.
Its method is concise and effective. It uses each natural gift to its advantage. Eyes much more powerful than ours can sense the trembling strands of grass as the mouse huddles from sight. Without warning, wince, or waste the hunter swoops to gather its necessity.
I envy its abilities. Not to gather food but to calmly and confidently collect what it desires. I envy its utilization of every natural gift. I have a hard enough time noticing my gifts. It survives and thrives while others in its community dies off into endangerment. With grace and composure the hawk fills its role in our greater community. Only time and effort will dictate if I can as well.
Anthony Sadler 