Birds of Prey

I love birds of prey. I love to watch a hawk or an eagle in flight. This one was perched on a stump in my back yard a few weeks ago. He just sat there as I took pictures through my sliding glass door. They turned out pretty well.

A few years ago, when we lived in Dillon, Montana, I was driving home when I saw a Kestrel in the middle of the road. As I passed by, it didn't fly off, so I knew something was wrong. I turned around and went back to see if I could help it. It scuttered off into the borrow pit and I really had to look hard to see it. It was quite camouflaged. I was able to gently pick it up and take it home. I put it in a box with a towel and gave it some water. Now what was I to do? I had a wild hawk in my house. I made a few calls and finally found the Raptor Conservancy in Bozeman, Montana, who cares for injured birds of prey. I called them and told them what I had. They sent someone (113 miles) to pick up the bird. They told me that the kestrel was a young female. I was glad to have been able to help it, but I was also sad to see it go.

The bird had no broken bones - thank goodness - but it was bruised. The conservancy kept the bird for two weeks for rehabilitation. When it was healthy enough to be released, they were very generous to come back and release it in my back yard. It was so cool to see it fly again.

This experience was very meaningful to me, seeing as how I do love to watch them fly!!! Next time you see an eagle or hawk in flight, thank God for the experience.