The White Hawk

[Carlisle Cullen MD]

Imagine my delight as I gazed up from my perch high atop a tree in the north east corner of the Hoh Rainforest here in Clallam county. She is a Red Tail Hawk. She is not a pure albino but is classified under the term, 'Leucism'. Leucism is a term many consider more accurate than “partial albino.” A true albino would have pink eyes and pale bill and feet. The feathers on this bird appear to be white except for some very pale buff feathers on her tail Her eyes are not red, but the legs are considerably paler than the yellow legs of a normally-pigmented Red-tail Hawk.
She flew past me seemingly without so much as acknowledging my presence. Her beauty and grace captured my attention and I watched her for quite some time gliding and playing about the cool updrafts.
As she set alight on a branch a few yards from me these words came to mind:

Soaring through the clouds on weightless wings
Flies the mighty hawk.
His eyes alert,
His senses piqued,
Where will he set alight?

Far above the earth he soars effortlessly
Wings outstretched to encompass the wind
An exhilarating sight it is to see him
Gliding so high in the sky.

As he disappears into the distance
I cant help but feel enlightened.
To witness a hawk in flight is
something that brings dreams to life