Living Under Attack

It was explosive, the birds at the feeder shot away like shards of a broken glass. I looked up with alarm. Terror took the shape of a large bird crashing into the top of the feeder.

With empty talons, the bird steadied itself on the hooked pole and scanned its surroundings . An awesome height, as tall as the feeder, it was a Coopers Hawk.

With a sharp turn and flight, it crossed the yard, smashing into the dense lemon tree, deep into the foliage, barely visible, then circled into a large Hackberry tree stretching along the wall at the back of the yard, again well hidden. How long had it watched and prepared its attack?

Abandoning the chase, the hawk lifted off with unexpected grace and a relieved routine returned to the garden.

An attack sows fear, then caution and finally the finch and sparrows pick up where they left off, squabbling for dominance and sunflower seeds, hassling the outsider titmouse and accepting the pressure of young waiting for meal at home. Life goes on in wartime.