This Morning Outside

by Diane Porter

January 12, 2011
Birdwatching Dot Com
Fairfield, Iowa

As I stepped out the front door, I heard small birds squeaking in the thick yews next to my feet. A sharp-shinned hawk flew out of the yews and skimmed the ground away toward the woods. The sparrows it had been hunting dashed off toward other woods in the opposite direction.

Photo copyright 2011 Michael and Diane Porter

The sparrows had been trying to stay hidden. I'd spoiled the hawk's hunt, and I'd startled everybody.

Including myself.

—Diane Porter

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