In July, I told you with delight about a trio of birds who convene on my back porch. A pair of cardinals, and their sparrow friend have been my constant visitors at the bird feeder. The male cardinal seemed so tender and sweet to the females. He actually fed both of them. What a treat it has been to watch them.
Sadly, I don’t get to do that anymore.
Yesterday I stepped out on the porch and heard a great commotion. One large bird was chasing a smaller one. They darted through the trees, both screeching at high volume. I tried to focus on them to see what was happening.
I wish I had not. You see, I also told you about a red-tailed hawk who hunted in my yard. He had decided to have my male cardinal for dinner!
I raced to the edge of the porch, tripping over the water hose. At the top of my lungs I shouted at the hawk. I was too late. He knocked the cardinal to the ground, and I swear that the hawk looked over at me with a leer on his face as if to say, “So, whaddaya gonna do about it?”
Nothing. There was nothing I could do but watch that hawk fly away clutching the limp and lifeless form of my beautiful cardinal friend in his talons.
I know that it’s all part of the natural order of things. I fully understand that there is a “food chain.” I just wish my cardinal hadn’t been a part of it.
Last night, the female cardinal and her sparrow friend sat listlessly on the porch rail. The female cardinal was calling for her mate with loud chirps that over time got quieter. After an hour or so, it sounded like she was calling, “Cheat. Cheat.” I couldn’t help but agree. She had indeed been cheated.
I’m concerned this afternoon. Although I put out fresh bird food, that female cardinal and the sparrow are no where to be seen. Could it have been the hawk again? Did they just pick up and move? Did they die from broken hearts?
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Oh that is so sad, and here I had come to let you know that the oldest woman in the world had passed away despite a 115 year love affair with crisp bacon. Life and death may be the way of nature, but there are times when it is downright sad.
Jamie´s last blog ..Just Do It
I had heard about that woman’s passing … the only thing that made me smile was that she loved to eat foods that are not good for you. It gave me hope
Yep, I’m pretty sad about that darned hawk. I know he has to eat, but I wish he would go out to eat!
Nature can be a vicious cycle at times.
Hopefully sparrow & co are well.
I could just see myself in that same situation – jumping up and down, waving my fists at the sky, and cussing that hawk
Frances´s last blog ..Peaches Natural Yogurt Cafe – great snacks & wi-fi
Pretty much what I was doing, Frances. I was just too late. If I had started jumping sooner, maybe it would have thrown the hawk off of his game.