Happy Holidays- by Susan Moses
A Buzz and Ruby Poem

A Field Guide for Watching Hawks
By Buzz and Ruby Red-tail

To our neighbors on the ground
Who seem to follow us around
We give to you with this little gift
And hope that it provides a lift

It's nice to know that you do care
And always look for us in the air
Or find us perching in a tree
Just to see what we can see

But sometimes you all seem so lost
Attempting to find us at any cost
Or trying to figure out what we do
When often it seems you have no clue

So here are some tips for watching us
But there is no need to make a fuss
This guide might help you understand
Why hawks are hawks and man is man

Yes we often sit and stare
Just don't think we aren't really there
Please rest assured we are not lazy
Even when we appear quite hazy

A red-tailed hawk is always working
Hunting, eating, or just plain lurking
We have favorite perches, as we're sure you can tell
But sometimes we change it up, oh what the hell

It does take a while to construct a good nest
Sturdy and tidy, we do try our best
We even build extras as you just never know
When a storm or a saw could make one go

Now about mating, we won't say too much
It's a private affair, just between us
But suffice it to say, we do love each other
And we are happy to become father and mother

Egg-laying is tough, not an easy task at all
It takes so much energy, it's not a ball
But it's a joyous occasion you can be quite sure
To brood those eggs, who could ask for more

We do take our turns keeping them warm
Sharing the tasks, it's just the norm
And we mustn't forget to give them a turn
To keep them well-rounded and avoid nest burn

When they hatch, it's the best, what more can we say
But then the real work starts that very same day
Constant feeding requires hunting dawn until dusk
It's tiring work, but a definite must

And then there is fledging, the most dangerous time
For our brave little chicks — but they don't whine
They practice and practice, helicoptering high in the nest
And branching, oh branching, they do try their best

But the real excitement comes, as first flight draws near
The tension is real, we have to hold back a keerrr
And then when it's time, it's a sight to behold
"Look Mom, I'm flying!" — oh they are so bold

One thing you can't grasp — we know it's no lie
The feeling that comes when you realize you can fly
It's just so amazing, what can we say
We hope you can experience that thrill one day

We do love our kids, we are as good as parents can be
Our "hawkeyes" are on them from high up in a tree
We teach them to hunt, pine cone lessons do the trick
Every hawk has to learn — even with stones and a stick

We can be quite vocal, but have no fear
Just be on the lookout when you hear us keerrr
It could mean "danger", "here's food" or "where are you?"
Or it could mean nothing — it's just something we do

But do give us space when there's a meal to be had
Don't get in our way or it could turn out bad
And please keep a proper distance away from our chicks
We will defend them, and not just for kicks

We are armed with sharp weapons, so be sure to stand clear
Our beaks can do damage —yes we can bite off an ear
But our talons are what you must avoid — so beware
We can do almost as much harm as one mean old bear

We do have some bullies whom we must keep in check
Like peregrine neighbors, they give us such heck
But enough talk of aggression, we are really quite tame
And are happy to hang out — we're not here to maim

We do spend many hours preening each feather
Really, we can't have them all sticking together
Please don't think us vain, it's what we must do
After all we want to look good for you too

But do pardon our appearance when it comes time to molt
We know when you see us it might cause a jolt
We sometimes lie low and stay out of sight
Since we're considered by some as an awful blight

But oh how beautiful a fresh coat of feathers
Can make any hawk look better no matter the weather
We must look our best when mating season comes near
And there's nothing like new plumage to jumpstart a new year

We rarely do nothing even if it seems otherwise
Be it waiting for prey or patrolling the skies
We can just sit for hours, believe it or not
So don't be surprised if we're still in the same spot

Patience is the name of the game for a hawk
Knowing just the right moment to pounce and not balk
Hunting is hard, we don't always succeed
But no need to worry, we get what we need

Watching us dine isn't the prettiest sight
And we know for most, not much of a delight
But it does keep us going, like you, we do need to eat
And unfortunately little critters make a nice tasty treat

But please rest assured that we don't kill for fun
We are at the top of the food chain and that's just how it's done
You can see when we're full, just check out our crop
Which after a good meal can seem ready to pop

We might need a breather, when feeling quite sated
Some downtime is in order, a beak-and-talon cleaning slated
Then time for a perch, to give our legs a little rest
First one then the other we tuck under our breast

On a clear windy day, we'll take to the sky
Soaring, riding the thermals — oh it just makes us high
And when we're feeling amorous, it's not by chance
That we lock talons together — oh we love to sky—dance

As evening approaches, we find our night roost
A time to rest and rejuvenate, and get a much-needed boost
Dawn comes pretty soon and we must not be late
To start a new day — time doesn't wait
So we hope that these pointers will serve as a guide
To help you understand the world from our side
We appreciate your interest, devotion and sharing
These two red-tailed hawks thank you for caring

With best wishes for the lengthening days,

Affectionately yours,

Buzz and Ruby

Susan Moses
December 21, 2012