While walking through Anderson’s field
to the old homestead, two red-tailed hawks scolded us. The message seemed clear that it was a
place we did not belong, and yet we continued knowing that from our side we meant
no harm. Near the wetland a Sandhill crane fluttered out with her wings at odd
angles. She put on a show attempting to lure us away from what must be her
nest. When we continued walking, she changed her strategy to follow and patrol.
She paced back and forth across the clearing we’d just passed through. Her
message was also that we shouldn’t be there. This is part of living with the
wild; we all posture and sometimes threaten, we forge ahead or back off, hopefully
finding a way to cohabitate.
