hey there,

I noticed fluffy white stuff at the back of my yard the other day. I walked closer and realized they were feathers.

Take a look:

Just as I approached, a red-tailed hawk screeched and flew off from the red maple above me, where she had presumably just been dining and discarding feathers from her catch.

Sometimes the circle of life is glorious and beautiful, like spring flowers and baby birds. And sometimes it is powerful and fierce, like these remains from a hawk's feast.

While it's sad to realize the loss of the prey bird, it's kind of an honor to host a meal for the majestic predator.

You get to witness the circle of life firsthand when you invite nature back into your yard. It's both humbling and inspiring.

But - speaking of the circle of life and baby birds - I later saw sparrows gathering the spent feathers and flying off, presumably to line their cozy nests. Cute!

Circle of life, indeed! There is no waste in nature. Just balance.

And I didn't even have to leave my yard to witness, learn, and appreciate.

I live in a busy, dense suburban area. There's no wildlife refuge or community park nearby - just homes and lawns for miles.

There's nothing particularly special about the place I live in that makes it a great spot for hawk meals...

Except...I don't spray fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides on my property. I leave the leaves, create brush piles, and plant native species.

And it's earned me many wild honors.

So I encourage you invite nature to your yard, in whatever small way feels accessible, and enjoy the show.

with gratitude,

Kristen