Friday, April 18, 2014

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.






Good Friday morning. Bob walks with me to the end of the village. The old widow in the whitewashed cottage isn't up yet. Nor for that matter is anyone else. Not a car, tractor or van to be seen. There are however blackbirds to be chased and frogs to be barked at.

Down by the old Roman road the black shouldered kite is skimming low over the fields . As big as an eagle but as agile as a falcon. Enormous white wings with black flashes on the ends. His mate is there. I've never seen her before. One of only 28 breeding pairs in France.  Could there be any more beautiful, or optimistic, sight ?  



13 comments:

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Only 28 breeding pair, you're lucky. We hope they successfully raise a family.

XXXOOO Bella & Roxy

Anonymous said...

I suppose it is a male Circus cyaneus in German Kornweihe in English marsh hawk or hen harrier.
Greetings from Germany

fleurlilian said...

Saw the Upupa how comes every year... so beautiful!!! Happy Easter in your idillic village - Ischia is filling up with tourists and VIA CRUCIS aficanados! Susanne, Daisy, Kiri and Dandylion

Angus said...

In German it's a Gleitaar.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, I didn't know that species. I looked it up in the German Wiki and there it is called a "seltener Irrgast" (seldom vagrant). Lucky you to have seen one, I wish I had!
Happy Easter from Aschaffenburg!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I feel that way when the sand cranes fly over.
A rare sight, but an amazing one.
xo

Terra said...

What moments of beauty and tranquility you experienced and share here.

Kari said...

Life is good, isn't it.

Lisa Daria said...

I wake up before anyone else around here too - I hope no one else catches on to the serenity of the early morning. . .

VirginiaC said...

What a wonderful sighting of a rare bird for you....hope you get a photo for prosperity next time.

houndstooth said...

One of only 28 breeding pairs?! Wow! You are very lucky!

Heda said...

Beautiful pics M'Ongoose.

Whispering Walls said...

Stunning day!