Photograph by Robert David Atkinson
Social Nature
In the warmer southern country, one may observe a species of hawk whose manners differ remarkably from those of others. Whereas most birds of prey keep to themselves, these hawks assemble in small groups and conduct their hunt with an uncommon degree of patience toward one another. Three or four can be seen perched on the arms of a cactus or along a low ridge line. The Harris’s hawk carries a quiet beauty, built not for show but for purpose. Its dark, warm plumage glows when the light hits just right. Its eyes are steady and aware. There is something beautiful in the way it perches—confident, composed, and fully present.
