Many who know me know I have a deep connection with birds of prey ... a recent blessing in the desert (though on a power pole) was this female American Kestrel with her luncheon snake. I watched for 30 minutes - something I've never had the opportunity to do - as she landed with the snake, killed the snake, ate the snake, and then rested after dining. As I watched and photographed (wishing I had the 400mm lens out), I couldn't help but lift up praise for God's glorious creation (in all forms) and give thanks for being able to sit still (a recurring theme these days) long enough to observe the world around me. As many times as I've seen hawks, falcons or eagles, I've never once been able to watch one eat in the wild. The strength in talons and hooked beak were humbling, the fastidiousness in finishing every morsel so as not to waste, and then the time taken just to perch following eating ... these were all lessons I took to heart. Let me be strong in my choices of what I take in, let me not waste what is given to me, and then let me always take time to appreciate that which I choose to embrace - food, word, thought, music, friendship, love, wonder, vision ... everything.
RSS Feed