Commonly Extraordinary
The Red-tailed Hawk is a ubiquitous bird throughout the US. It is so common that once, during an hour drive, I counted 18 of them perched in the trees along the way. And yet, as commonplace as they are, my heart doesn’t find these large raptors prosaic. Because with every sighting, either high in a tree, on the utility pole outside my house or wings spread and soaring overhead, it briefly forgets to beat. This Red-tailed Hawk was in Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park. From its high perch it seemed oblivious to the low, thick clouds, cold air and heavy snowfall as it went about its daily routine. Through my eyes, it was nothing short of extraordinary. September 22, 2017
