Beautiful Sijo and I love the black and white photos accompanying it. Some societies believed that if one ate an animal one gained some added quality- strength courage, wisdom. All this, over and above the protein. What does the hawk gain eating the prey? What does the prey gain being eaten? What does the witness of this gain?
Ahard one is the second as it asks what good for the sufferer is there in suffering? But I suspect you know the answer to that Master Neil. Even harder is the first one, as it asks what good is there for the being in inflicting suffering? The third one is a profound mystery. You might call the three koans, Neil's Three Barriers and present them to your students. 🙂
I love the photos and I offer my thoughts on human and hawk habits.
Hawks are birds that eat meat, which means eating other animals. What to make of it? Humans also eat meat, but most of us get it from the supermarket.
Here is where the comparison gets interesting. Hawks do not kill for sport or for fun or to gather together to fight wars against other hawks for land. There is only one animal that does this: humans.
I had a nest of Cooper’s hawks in the mature maples, oaks, and fir trees that surround my apartment complex:) I watched them learn to fly and try to get squirrels,baby mourning doves, and eventually leave my area❤️last week I heard the crows announce that a predator was near and there they were!! 3 adolescent Cooper’s Hawks came back for a heavy supper time!
That's an awesome and memorable experience, Rebecca! Cooper's Hawks are really fascinating to see. That's interesting too about the crows announcing the nearby predators being the Cooper's Hawks. I hope you get to see more as well!
We have a number of those here in north central Texas. When they let themselves be seen, they are majestic and just damned beautiful. Red tails are cool and all that, not taking anything away. But Coopers command attention.
Beautiful post, Neil. The black and white photography really defines the predator/prey axis. As witness, I also feel it’s so important to offer good wishes to the life sacrificed. The Sijo is a true epiphany.
Thanks Heidi and much appreciated. This was an interesting encounter and not one I've posted on directly. Although I try to remind myself that comes with the territory of following birds like hawks.
Ah, the beautiful Cooper Hawk, I too have seen many on my walks. I resonate with your words: What can be done, but to listen and live in the eternal now? Yes, live always in that eternal now moment. Thank you.
I long to understand bird voices. This past year nudges me to be outside for longer hours.
Question: have you seen a Veery? I understand they read more than just barometric pressure and change their nesting & migration behavior earlier than other birds.
Thank you Katharine. It's been awhile since I have seen a Veery. I did not know about their ability to read barometric pressure and their migratory behaviour. Happy to share and glad you liked this post.
Beautiful Sijo and I love the black and white photos accompanying it. Some societies believed that if one ate an animal one gained some added quality- strength courage, wisdom. All this, over and above the protein. What does the hawk gain eating the prey? What does the prey gain being eaten? What does the witness of this gain?
Thank you Michael. I like the questions you pose.
Ahard one is the second as it asks what good for the sufferer is there in suffering? But I suspect you know the answer to that Master Neil. Even harder is the first one, as it asks what good is there for the being in inflicting suffering? The third one is a profound mystery. You might call the three koans, Neil's Three Barriers and present them to your students. 🙂
Thanks Michael and I like that 3 Barriers concept. A fine koan triumvirate!
Love the poem and photos Neil, thank you. 2024 is definitely your year of Cooper’s Hawks! The black and white is a nice touch.
Thanks James and much appreciated. This year, I have been really fortunate to see so many Cooper's Hawk - not something I ever expected.
I love the photos and I offer my thoughts on human and hawk habits.
Hawks are birds that eat meat, which means eating other animals. What to make of it? Humans also eat meat, but most of us get it from the supermarket.
Here is where the comparison gets interesting. Hawks do not kill for sport or for fun or to gather together to fight wars against other hawks for land. There is only one animal that does this: humans.
Who is the more evolved species in this case?
Thank you Perry. I like that comparison your provide and the species as well - which one is more evolved?
I had a nest of Cooper’s hawks in the mature maples, oaks, and fir trees that surround my apartment complex:) I watched them learn to fly and try to get squirrels,baby mourning doves, and eventually leave my area❤️last week I heard the crows announce that a predator was near and there they were!! 3 adolescent Cooper’s Hawks came back for a heavy supper time!
That's an awesome and memorable experience, Rebecca! Cooper's Hawks are really fascinating to see. That's interesting too about the crows announcing the nearby predators being the Cooper's Hawks. I hope you get to see more as well!
Coopers are something else !
Never have witnessed that event. Shoot, all raptors are serious coolio….
We have a number of those here in north central Texas. When they let themselves be seen, they are majestic and just damned beautiful. Red tails are cool and all that, not taking anything away. But Coopers command attention.
That's awesome. They're amazing to see when they're on the hunt - such an agile bird.
Thanks and agreed! I've really come to appreciated Cooper's Hawks this year.
wonderful
Thank you onecloud.
Such beautiful birds and photos!
Thanks Val and much appreciated!
Beautiful post, Neil. The black and white photography really defines the predator/prey axis. As witness, I also feel it’s so important to offer good wishes to the life sacrificed. The Sijo is a true epiphany.
Thanks Heidi and much appreciated. This was an interesting encounter and not one I've posted on directly. Although I try to remind myself that comes with the territory of following birds like hawks.
All true. One time, I was sitting in my kitchen eating lunch and looked outside to see a hawk also eating lunch in a nearby pine tree.
Ah, the beautiful Cooper Hawk, I too have seen many on my walks. I resonate with your words: What can be done, but to listen and live in the eternal now? Yes, live always in that eternal now moment. Thank you.
Thanks Wendy and much appreciated. That eternal now is like absolute perfection.
Thank you. A wonderful read!
Thank you, Mary and I'm glad you enjoyed this post!
Neil, such a stark and beautiful creation.
I long to understand bird voices. This past year nudges me to be outside for longer hours.
Question: have you seen a Veery? I understand they read more than just barometric pressure and change their nesting & migration behavior earlier than other birds.
Thank you for your creations on Substack.
Thank you Katharine. It's been awhile since I have seen a Veery. I did not know about their ability to read barometric pressure and their migratory behaviour. Happy to share and glad you liked this post.
Thanks A. Ship! That's an amazing encounter you saw when the hawk and Blue Jay!