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.