The Coopers

Two years ago, for a short period in the summer, we had two juvenile Cooper’s hawks call a couple of trees in our backyard home.

Juvenile hawks are still learning to be adults. So they usually make a lot of noise as part of this process. This included chasing squirrels, walking around the yard, and constantly calling on each other at all hours of the day.

A few weeks ago, we had two juveniles show up again. We have no idea if they were connected to the pair who showed up two years ago. But, sure enough, they made themselves at home and woke us up on weekends with a din of high-pitched calls.

I was reminded of a time at home when my grandparents were telling me off for blasting music before heading out for an exam a few months before college.

My mom told me to not bother and told them – “You’ll miss this when he leaves home in a few months.”

They did. And said so many times after.

It is now good advice for me as a parent. But it turns out it was equally good advice for us as temporary juvenile hawk neighbors as well.

Now that they’re gone, we miss the din they created and are grateful for the time they shared space with us.