A huge hawk in the orchard behind our home…this thing was the size of my two year-old daughter.

To me, he resembles one of the wise old birds that forest creatures seek to find counsel and wisdom.  Two days after I took this picture, I was out back taking care of our bunny and I could hear the screeching call of the majestic bird; he sounded weary and tired.  I stood for a moment and stared into the misty orchard, listening as his voice echoed through the trees one last time.  After his final call, I ventured into the orchard to the place where his still body lay.  There was a certain sense of sacredness at that moment.  I felt surrounded by the moccasined feet of my ancestors as they welcomed the beautiful creature into the great hunting ground in the sky.