This beautiful Coopers Hawk spent several afternoons on the fenceline. He wasn't at all concerned with our presence. He knew we were there. He turned his head and checked us out every once in awhile. The kids really enjoyed observing him and the way he surveyed his territory. We decided to skip piano practice and study up on hawks while we had this speciman in our midst. The kids wanted to find out all about hawks and were excited to delve into this.

      Then they found out that his favorite food was song birds. My middle child's heart was saddened by this. After our study was completed the kids went out to shovel the driveway. My son came barreling back into the house and gleefully announced that there were feathers all over the driveway. He wanted a bag for a "collection".

      My daughter came in sadly and went to the window. The hawk was gone. She shook her head and said, "Well I guess he got what he wanted! I don't think I like hawks anymore. They're mean!" I would say she's definitely a gatherer. My son came back in with his collection and excitedly said, "Hawks are awesome... look at all these feathers. Mom come out and see. I think there's even some blood. This is so cool." I believe we'd call him a hunter. He asked if tomorrow was Sunday and if he could take his feathers to church to show his friends.

      My oldest daughter thought it was all interesting. She is much more scientifically minded than the rest of us and tried to comfort her sister with the circle of life story. She pointed out that we eat meat and that comes from animals. She also came to me and mentioned her concern over her little brother's excitement about the blood. She confided, "I'm a little worried about him Mom, I don't think that's normal unless you're a serial killer." I assured her that I grew up with brothers and they loved all that kind of stuff and none of them had turned into criminals, yet!  My sister will appreciate my bit of humor! For some reason my brothers don't find me all that funny.