Cooper Hawk

 Look at the birds of the air;

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:26

     In these troubled times, I often go to my backyard (at least while the weather is warm), and escape into the serenity of nature. We have had Barred Owls, deer, various birds, squirrels, chipmunks, ducks, crows, racoons,and hawks. I dare say, we once even had a hedgehog. This year we were blessed to observe a family of Cooper Hawks as they made their nest and then hatched their fledglings/ chicks (about 3 of them). At times there was a little bit of drama as there was also a nest of Crows in the front yard. It made for quite a bit of entertainment as they would chase each other through the sky to guard and protect their nests, dive bombing, squawking, darting through the skies. These particular photos were taken as the fledglings were just learning to fly and maneuver the skies on their own.

     We named this one, Liam, and were honored and privileged to be able to spend about an hour or so just watching him, and interacting gently. At one point our two dogs, Lucy and Tilly, came running out, and that is the only time Liam seemed rattled, as you can see in the pictures. He soon settled down after we got the pooches into the house. It was such a thrill to be able to experience this, and such a blessing.

     I am grateful for these times in my backyard, it reminds that even in the midst of all the shaking that is going on right now in our world, God is still in control. He’s still the God of Peace. He has not left us in spite of the chaos around us and He never will.  Things are changing, but He has promised to take care of us through it all. Find your quiet place, spend time with Him and hide under the shadow of the Almighty.