Saturday, June 27, 2009

Red-shouldered Hawk Territory--V

I am having to shift creative focus, from wildlife viewing and sketching, to sending out submission letters for my novel. Why spend all that time writing it, if I don't pursue publication, right? I've always planned to do that. I simply needed to hold it for a while, the way you hold an infant close to you when its newly born. I am a writer as well as an artist. And though every publisher will tell you that more than one focus scatters your interest, it can't be helped. There is truth in this. Dividing your time is a challenge. But now that I have discovered who I am, I refuse to go forward leaving either behind. And so there is this dance, this back and forth journey, both creative endeavors, both requiring deep commitment, both rewarding in and of themselves. The hawks. Yes, I visited them yesterday. Neither of the adults were around and as I ventured into the nest yard, I felt its emptiness, as though no one were home. But knowing this was probably my last opportunity to see the juvenile, I stayed the duration of four hours and visited the gardens and sketched while waiting. In time, a juvenile began calling in the nest area. I saw him in flight several times, though when he perched, I could never locate him through the leaves. He returned to the nest area, flying within it from perch to perch, then exceeded its boundaries to cross the road and travel to neighboring areas, noted both visually and by the distance and direction of his solicitous calls. Though he is seen from time to time by the residents, it has become less and less likely that I will see the hawk family. And so, I will now devote my hawk watching time to using the inspiration they've given me to finish my sketchbook and select some favorite images to paint, all of which I will share with you as they are completed.In the meantime, I want to introduce you to several other Red-shouldered hawk lovers and observers that I have met along the way. This has been another amazing part of the journey, the connection that blogging has given me to others who have enjoyed similar experiences and captured these in their own unique ways.

Leonard is a professor and journalist in Marietta, GA. You must visit his video and though the outcome of his story is uncertain at this time, mobbing is a turnabout reality for hawks, one in which nature provides for the predated as well as, the predator.

Mary Howell Cromer lives in LeGrange, KY. She launched her blog, Red-shouldered Hawks of Tingsgrove this week to display her journal and photos of the Red-shouldered hawks that she has spent hours observing the past several years. She has experienced both happy and sad endings, as well, and given aid to the parents a time or two. Don't miss her fun images of the juveniles.

And Jay at Down to Earth, created a wonderful diary post about her experiences with Red-shouldered hawks living in and around her property in eastern North Carolina. Visit her beautiful images, including a juvenile visiting the bird bath.

And last, but certainly not least, you must visit Larry Jordan's Red-shouldered hawks at Birder's Report for a northern California look at this beautiful species. To see my entire series of posts on this family of Red-shouldered hawks, click this link. The above images were taken at various times during my observations. The sketch is of the female with prey brought to her by the male. The second image is the male taking the remains of the female's meal to another perch to eat. The dragonfly is a ballerina ! a very small male Blue dasher. The perched hawk image is the male; the hawk in flight, one of the adults.

9 comments:

  1. Good for you Vickie! They do say that more than one interest scatters your focus, but focusing on each one when the time is right will always yeild positive results. I wish you absolute luck with your novel!

    Regars

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  2. Vickie..go for it!
    I always enjoy your posts..your photos ..your art! You inspire me!
    Cant wait to see what your book is all about..
    I think you have a following here that will buy it for sure!
    Thanks for the Hawk links..a few are new to me and I might have to add them to my never-ending blogroll.

    LOL you think Jay is a guy...Ha..i did two for a long time..until..I forget what happend but I found out that Jay was a gal! I had to laugh..and I told her what I thought..you know her sense of humor..she got a kick out of it.

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  3. Thanks, Maree!

    Oh Dawn, you made me laugh out loud! Thanks. That's a reminder to never make assumptions while blogging! And thanks for your encouraging comment about the book.

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  4. I, too, am trying to find a way to balance my passions of photography and nature and writing. If multiple passions scatters one's focus, that's just too bad, because you shouldn't have to give any of them up. And there's usually a few ways to integrate them together, like via blogging. Good luck with your novel and thanks again for sharing your hawk experiences with us!

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  5. Vickie---you need to share some of that telent... It's unbelievable that one can be a writer in addition to an artist. Of course writing IS art---but not the 'drawing' and sketching kind. I'm just SO impressed.

    I love to write (no ambition to ever publish) --but I just enjoy telling my story through words and photos.. I'm not a real photographer either---so my talents lie in other places I guess.

    BUT--I'm so glad I found your blog and will follow it now. Just reading your words and hearing about your interest in hawks and sketching just makes me envious... I'll be a great follower though...

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  6. Wow! You wrote a novel! I agree with Dawn...I'm sure you have a lot of people who will want to read it. I think you need to publish your sketch books as well. They tell a lovely story of your hawks.

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  7. Vickie, best of luck with the book. You write so beautifully, you are a natural at it, and I can't wait to get a copy! !

    I arrived here yesterday, was reading along, once again feeling so inspired to be here, and then ... then I saw you had felt my hawk story worthy of mention (I felt so flattered!) It was a moment to reflect, and I thought the ways you had inspired me, I recalled how special the hawks were and how they had became more special, I yearned to see them. A little sadness crept in, and I decided to come back later to comment. Came back later, was searching for the words ... (hawk sad began again.. lol) and so I came back later.

    I had not read any comments earlier, and so the timing of this (below) and the loud laughter that came from me....

    dAwN "you think Jay is a guy HA! I did too!"

    LOL... It couldn't have come at a better time! I remembered how Dawn thought I was a guy, and it was so funny, and seeing that from Dawn again at this time now made it funnier, and suddenly - any and all "hawk sad" had vanished! That's a good thing :)

    I so enjoy your blog, Vickie, and feel fortunate to have met you. And others too. I wish I had more to visit friends more often and visit new ones... it'll come!

    Looking forward to seeing you again soon

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  8. Vickie~I have finally taken time this morning to take a stroll along your Blog and really take in some of it more closely. Your photographs tell a story, while your magnificent gift of watercolour brings a fresh, creative awareness of what your eyes and spirit took in from your own personal relationship to your subjects. You have captured the appreciation you have for nature, through your watercolours~ You are blessed abundantly~ I am so thankful to have found your site!

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  9. First of all Vickie, best of luck with the book. I'm sure it will be successful. All anyone has to do is look at your blog and your sketches to see your talent.

    Your chronicles of these Red-shouldered Hawks has been a real treat. I was unable to find a nest this Spring and was able to live vicariously through your story. I will be following that unmistakable Red-shouldered call again next year, hopefully with better luck.

    Thank you also for the link to my Red-shouldered Hawk post. I hope to expand on that experience again soon.

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