Thursday, May 8, 2008

We have a large Silk Oak tree in our backyard that has gone condo.  There are various birds co-existing in there raising their new hatchlings to become strong strapping birds.  One of the residents is a family of Mockingbirds.  I think most people know that Mockingbirds are not to be trifled with. 

There is also in residence in the home behind us a family of hawks.  We have spent many afternoons watching the hawks ride the thermals and pester the neighborhood birds and most likely rabbits, mice and what ever meets their fancy.  They are, afterall, hawks, the top of the food chain in the bird world.

Does anyone see where this is going?  

After lunch my 8 yo came running in to say there is a hawk at the top of our silk oak tree and the Mockingbirds are darting at it squawking.  We've seen this before and I was able to grab my camera to catch our own Wild Kingdom on film.  When I got out there it was evident the hawk had had enough poking and took off.  I was able to snap this awesome shot just as he took flight.  I love how you can see his feathers spread apart and curled just so to get the lift he (maybe she?  I'm not trying to be sexist. :-) ) needed to fly.



If you know anything about Mockingbirds you'll know that the hawk leaving wasn't nearly enough.  No, the Mockingbird chased the hawk far, far away swiping at it every chance he (again, maybe it's she ;-) ) got.




I'm sure there's some lesson we can take from this.  Something like "Just because you're smaller doesn't mean you can't beat the giant". Or maybe,  "Don't give up, even when the odds seem to be against you".  Maybe it's something as simple as "Mockingbirds are just big ol' bullies". 

Whatever the lesson is, if there is one, it's always fun to watch God's creation in action.




 



5 comments:

LaVonna said...

Linda,


That is amazing. I think we are going to have to come by your house and sit in the backyard. Great photograph. You belong in National Geographic .

LaVonna said...

LInda,


I was looking at the Harris Hawk on our bird blog and it is funny. We have the mockingbirds trying to chase it away, too. We thought they were the doves, but a closer look at your photo and rerunning the video clip on our blog, we were able to zoom in on the birds. Thank you! You helped us tremendously. Now, I wonder if the mockingbirds are in the neighbors tree next to our wall...hummm...

Jen U said...

We all loved seeing your pictures and hearing about the birds!

Anonymous said...

I put the picture of the Hawk with wings spread on my compute desk top. It is so cool the way the sun shines through the feathers.


Love,


DH

christianmomof3inoh said...

I just found your blog this evening and started going through some of it. What happiness to hear your new little one's heartbeat! Blessings to you as you wait and suffer through the early sickness!


Your pictures with the hawk and mockingbird remind me of Compassion International's tee shirts that say this African proverb: "If you think you're too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito." Apparently, your mockingbirds know this proverb, too!!


Well, I just wanted to comment and let you know my thoughts.


Amy in Columbus, Ohio, USA