On 01.02.02, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Too late for surgery, I had chemotherapy, which failed. In May the chemotherapy was changed and I was soon in remission which was celebrated and welcome and lasted nine years - until October 2011. There was progression in 2011 so more treatment was indicated and I am now back in partial remission. But I'm not only a cancer patient - I also enjoy my family, walk my dogs and am learning to draw and paint. Life is good!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Making peace with bird on bird

I see red-shouldered hawks about three times a week when I'm out and about. Most often they are standing on telephone wires on Rte 12 between Sonoma and Santa Rosa and on Rte. 12 between Sonoma and Napa. Occasionally they stand elsewhere, but telephone wires seem to be their thing.

Until recently red-shouldered hawks were one of my most favorite birds. Their posture caught my attention -- large, standing up straighter than crows and small birds, looking proud as they survey their land (or whatever they were surveying, I never asked).

My favoritism changed after we got the chickens and I began worrying about a hawk swooping down into the chicken run, scooping up one of the girls and taking off with her. Currently the chickens have a bird net covering their baby run and, if I ever get the run constructed around the larger coop, there is a stronger net to cover that one too. So I'm doing my part to keep the chickens safe, but still, I keep hearing sad stories of up, up and away...

I think they are almost too large for that - I don't think a hawk can fly with someone the same size - so maybe red-shouldered hawks will soon regain their stature with me. They are gorgeous, they stand proud, they still catch my attention when I drive by.

2 comments:

  1. Oh this one is mighty!! Like it..

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  2. I understand completely! I love squirrels. I even used to bring nuts with me when I walked. Then I got a garden...and well, they aren't my friends anymore! Nice sketch!

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