Backyard Hawk Sighting

In the first place, do not send them; if it is anyway possible, take them; for, although the children should be left much to themselves, there is a great deal to be done and a great deal to be prevented during these long hours in the open air.

Charlotte Mason, Home Education Vol. 1 p. 43

Last week I tried to toss the kids in the backyard by themselves and this was the result:

"My mitten fell off and I can't get up the stairs and why is my Mommy not coming to help me! Why is she standing at the kitchen door taking pictures of me?"

"No one is ever going to help me. Mommy doesn't have her coat or shoes on and she's in the kitchen. I will be stuck out here by myself in the freezing cold forever. No, I don't want my brother to help me!"

Yesterday, after reading the above quote in my Charlotte Mason book, I resolved to go out in the backyard with my children. As an added bonus it was easier to take photos of the kids.

The Nuthatch has learned to make his snowangels first thing, before all the fresh snow is trampled.

As he was lying there he noticed something at the top of our tree.

I ran in to switch lenses on my camera so I could get a picture before he flew away. Then I ran in to get my binoculars. Then I ran in to get the bird field guide. I managed to tramp a lot of snow through my kitchen.

He is a sharp-shinned hawk. We have seen them once or twice before in our yard. His feathers are all puffed up to keep him warm in this frigid cold weather. They eat small birds, of the sort we attract with our bird feeders. He was likely looking for a nice snack. I had the kids look around, and there was not another bird to be seen anywhere. They know better.

The Bluejay even paused from eating snow to bird watch for a moment.

She also mentioned in her quote that "there was a great deal to be prevented" when the kids are outside. I suppose that would include keeping your kids from falling out of trees and landing on their heads.

I even had a moment or two to myself to capture the snow piled high on some of my wildflowers that I did not get around to cutting down in the fall. I think I'll leave them over the winter from now on. They are so pretty.