524. on top of the world

like she owns the place

just sitting on top of the world—

red tailed hawk

(Like a giant, perched out there on the highest limb of a smaller tree. She was magnificent. Taking a wide, leisurely view of the surrounding territory, this female hawk sat perched for a long time. I say ‘female’ because of the raptor’s size. 

Earlier I watched her soar slowly down and perch on a wooden handrail as two people were walking in her direction. They stopped six or eight feet in front of her. They didn’t move and neither did she. Eventually, the man took out his camera. Not at all shy, the hawk just sat there for the longest time, you might say, like she was posing for a photograph!)