Last week a hawk landed on a hiking path 20 feet in front of me. I was amazed.
I stopped and watched him, sensing that he was well aware of me but unfazed. He stayed long enough for me to snap his picture, then he lifted his wings and gracefully soared across a field.
I often wander alone, but I never feel alone when I’m out in nature. As I thought about my close encounter with the beautiful hawk, I realized that more and more, I feel welcomed by the natural world.
I’ve heard it said that some animals are divinely designed to provide companionship for humanity. We see it with our household pets. But maybe it’s true of wild animals, too. Not to become domesticated, but to provide us with those brief but important moments of connection between species.
The connection that reinforces our commonalities and also reminds us that we are all citizens of the Earth sharing this beautiful planet.
I am very grateful for my hawk friend…
(New photos on website Gallery: wandernature.com/new-photos)