Yesterday I was sitting in a recliner in our back yard, just soaking up the sun, and listening to the birds and other critters. Suddenly, a hawk flew to the ground about 20 feet away from me and landed awkwardly. Its wings seemed to be splayed over the ground, and it was facing away from me. I didn’t have a chance to get a good enough look to identify it, but got an impression of a light color. I was surprised it was so close to me. Then it flew away toward the back of the yard, and I saw it was carrying a chipmunk in its talons.
I was astonished and humbled to witness this moment of life and death in the world of nature. Perhaps the hawk was taking food to its young. Perhaps the chipmunk was the one who, earlier in the day, had been startled to see me in the screen tent, when it poked its head under the fabric at the bottom. I thought it would run off, but then it scampered right under my foot on its way to the other side of the tent.
Two years ago, just a little later in May, I had seen four baby chipmunks in the yard, in about the same place. I went outside and sat down near them and watched them play. They were completely unafraid of me and didn’t mind my presence close by. At one point, they heard an alarm call from their mother, and ran to the hole to their underground homes, and sat right nearby looking around and waiting to hear if they must go back inside. But mother must have given the all clear, because they resumed their play.
I wonder if today there are babies underground waiting for a parent to return. The yard became utterly quiet after the hawk attack, except for an alarm cry from a bird or another chipmunk–I wasn’t sure. No birds at the feeder, so squirrels chasing each other up the trees, no chipmunks emerging from the rain spout. But later in the evening, life went on. At least two other chipmunks were dashing back and forth, and gold finches lined up to get their turn at the feeder.
What a gift to sit outside each day, learning what the land wants to reveal of her secrets. What secrets have you discovered, just sitting outside being quiet?
Chipmunk babies
Finding Our Way Home 
Myke, Thank you for the follow. I enjoy your page and your thoughts on life. I hope you enjoy my page.
I have a hard time “seeing” the secrets of nature. As much as I respect nature and understand the need for the food chain….I tend to personify animals and that makes it difficult for me to witness any animal being injured.
However, there are few things in this world more perfect than sitting quietly in nature and soaking it all in.
Funny, I did the same thing just a few days ago and wondered what it would be like to sit on the porch for 15 minutes every day and just observe. I saw birds mating, a cat bringing a chipmunk in its mouth, a spider enveloping its prey and hiding it in a gap for later snacking, and innumerable shades of green.