Yesterday I had a very remarkable experience...up close with a red tailed hawk! I was working on my computer and watching Man from Snowy River here on the lanai where our computers are. The lanai is glassed on three sides so we can enjoy the outdoors while staying in from the mosquitos (summer) and cold (winter).
Anyway, as I was working, I caught a glimpse of something big plummeting onto our patio. Immediately I thought, "HAWK!" We have one that is in residence down the hill in Fountain Park woods; it flies over our area on patrol daily. I figured it had just captured one of our songbirds for lunch. I carefully rose from my chair and edged over to the door to see what was going on.
The hawk was not ON the patio; it was sitting on the edge of a small fountain beside the lanai door, drinking. When he raised his head, he and I locked eyes for a brief moment...it looked big and fierce, but so beautiful. With a twisting leap, it opened those huge wings and lifted off. Away he flew through our trees, skyward. It was a magnificent bird and a magnificent moment!
I found a picture of a red tailed hawk on Google. I have borrowed it to show you what one of these exciting raptors look like. I did not have enough presence of mind to grab my camera yesterday. The whole incident happened is less than a minute, probably...but it was soooo memorable.
Then tonight I had the fun of talking with my dear friend, Fern. Her sons are setting up a computer cafe next door to Ariel, Fern's elder son, in Mabalacat, Philippines. We set up tonight to try to do a conversation over Yahoo Messenger. It Worked! Once again we could talk face to face, thanks to today's technology. And we did not run up any kind of a phone bill like when we talk on a cell phone.
All of the children, Fern's grandchildren, were there. They wanted to talk to "Tia" or Granny, as they call me. My how 2 years has made a difference in them. They have grown so much. But Fern (and I) decided we have not changed since I was there.
She looks good, and it was soooo great to see her. The reception on the sound was not as good as we wanted, but JC, the youngest grandson, aged 4, was being very noisy playing a "shoot shoot" game next to her.
Two years ago today, early in the morning of Aug. 21, I began the long flight home from a wonderful 3 weeks visiting with Fern and all my Philippine Family. We had celebrated Fern's 70th Birthday on Aug. 19. Her family hosted and fed over 400 guests. That was so much fun! A few of them spoke English and I am so glad. I had lost all the Tagalog I had learned 50 years ago when my family lived at Clark AFB. But there are many ways to communicate other than with words.
This is Fern and I in 1956 up in the Baguio market. She went with us everywhere, and my parents would have adopted her and brought her home, but she chickened out at the last moment. Fifty years later we shared many moments during the 3 weeks I visited with her.
The grandkids were so much fun. Little JC is the only one missing in this shot.
1 comment:
You really do have some lovely views from your lanai! What a very pretty bird. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that up close.
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