The Free Radical

Richard (Turkey Vulture) has passed along the New Vision to Hawk… and his other high flying cohorts.

“But Niels, how do you really know that that’s a hawk and not a vulture?” you might ask.

Once airborne, you will rarely– if ever– see Turkey Vulture flap his wings. He is an absolute master at detecting and riding thermal currents. What we see as a heat shimmer over pavement on a summer day is what Vulture’s excellent eyesight sees all the time. Hawk, however, has her keen eyes trained on the ground in search of prey. She will be observed to beat her wings occasionally while in flight, as she is not nearly as adept at finding up-currents.

And then there’s a bit of a backstory… Over the past week, on three separate occasions, I have witnessed Hawk flying up from the forest floor directly in front of me… to quickly disappear beyond the treetops. She is a much lighter brown than Turkey Vulture, and is almost always alone. Also this past week, I have been gifted with feathers from Raven and Grouse, conspicuously left on my personal trail.

And finally, yesterday I was no more than five minutes into my walk when I was greeted by another young hawk. I first recognized her by her voice. She “screeched” at me and circled above me for about ten minutes straight. At first I thought she might be trying to issue me a warning, but later I quickly realized that it was more of an exultation and an incitement to joy. The message comes collectively from the Masters of the Sky… as delivered by Hawk (who also bid me farewell at the end of yesterday’s walk).

“The New Vision gives way now for New Experience. It is as though we are coaxing and coaching our youngsters from the comforts of the nest. You do not remember what it is like to fly. Not much can prepare you for such New Experience except your trust in yourselves and an unflinching desire. We do not flinch… ever.

“Too often, you wish to proceed only once you’ve been thoroughly briefed in advance about what you are soon to experience. The New Adventure cannot be known in advance; it is that new. You cannot know anything of the exhilaration of flight until you are actually flying. You must choose to take the leap because there remains an essential part of your being that wishes to unfold… like a pair of wings… to carry you into New Frontiers.

“You are fully supported and encouraged… to join with us as Masters of the Sky.”

I also took this as a reminder that the Sky is fully a part of the Earth too!