Anyone who knows me very well knows I’m not a morning person. I never really have been, but every once in a while I do get up early and head out for some time in nature. Usually if I’m up early I’m hoping to catch a nice sunrise, but I’m always open to seeing any kind of wildlife, too. First thing in the morning, before most people are up and about is often a good time to see wildlife, and especially birds. If they’re diurnal birds, many of them are just getting up and getting going, too. Last summer, I was lucky enough one morning to catch a swallowtail tailed kite getting its day started and still yawning.

One morning earlier this year, while I was hiking, I came across this red shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) and it seemed like it was just starting its day, too. When I first saw it, perching on an old fence post, it looked to be lost in thought. Maybe planning out the day’s hunt. I didn’t ever manage to see it yawn, but it did have a sleepy, but peaceful, contemplative air about it. I watched the bird for about ten minutes as it went from quiet and sleepy to sharp and keenly alert. Once it reached that stage it wasn’t long before it was off, no doubt to search for its breakfast.