Serendipity is defined by Merriam-Webster as “luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for”. On this date in February 2014 I experienced a serendipitous event as, already late for work, I was rushing to get out the door. I heard an unusual bird call outside my house accompanied by the cawing of angry crows. After looking out each window throughout my house I finally spotted the source of their disquiet, this beautiful female Merlin that had just captured a Mourning Dove in my backyard! I realized at this point that I was going to be much later for work than I had originally thought and ran for my camera. The Merlin eventually moved from my yard into this tree in a neighboring backyard which is the scene in this photo.