What are you?

I always have trouble ID'ing many hawks. Coincidentally, I've had several in my backyard recently, enjoying the local buffet (RIP Quinston tha Dove). After I slowly opened the window, I asked a question.

Without thinking, I blurted, "What are you?" Realizing how bad that sounded, I corrected, "I don't want to assume your identity and call you something you clearly..... never mind." I coudln't tell if the hawk was offended or unamused but it just kept eating Quin . I thought about it for a second and realized, maybe it was rude for me to interrupt its lunch to say something like that. More importantly, I should have taken a moment to pay my respects to Quin.

Two seconds later.. "I hope you don't mind but I'm going to take a picture." That got his attention because he looked up and said, "Wait! Make sure you get my good side." The pose was great so I didn't argue and quickly fired off a few shots. Then suddenly he gave a quick hop and started to fly off. Before he got out of ear shot I shouted, "So, what do I call you?!" It was flying so quickly that by the time it responded, I could barely see its wings flapping through the trees. But I swore I could hear, "Just call me 'Sexy'"

-The End

Written by Donte Hunter

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Cooper’s Hawk
Colonial Heights, VA
9.26.25
Sony A1 w/ 600f4
ISO1250 f4.5 1/80

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