it was a raptor-ous day...

...when all i had to do

was look up

to see this beauty - flying over me - seriously! there was a commotion in the air - a great flapping of wings - i didn't see him at 1st - i saw a shadow - because i was under some trees - then my heart began to race - i suspected i was - about to see something wonderful - i scurried forward - what seemed to be practically in my face - but was just overhead - was this red-tailed hawk - coming to land - in the branches of the tree - i was standing under - my heart was going - thud, thud, thud - i couldn't believe it - as i tried to figure out just what branch he was on - i was looking up - he was looking down - we made eye contact - it was the most glorious thing - you can even begin to imagine - i could barely press the shutter button on my camera - for the sheer delight of it - i truly thought i was going to burst into tears - he was so absolutely gorgeous

the space between us not that great - as he eyed the land - over the water - a short distance away - were the baby wood ducks - i was so afraid he was thinking "lunch" - i was thinking "distraction" - so i tried to make some noise - getting him to see me again - although i knew - he knew i was there - because suddenly - those wings spread - in this wonderful lifting - away from the tree - under the leaves - and sunlight glinting off of him - oh my - there is nothing that can make for more of...

a

happy day.....