Today I was coming back from my errands just as I turned into the courtyard right by our office I saw this large bird on the sidewalk clutching a flapping sparrow under its feet. It took me a second to register what was happening, it was so out of place. I realized it was a hawk -- that close to me. Sometimes when I see a hawk, it looks sort of shabby, but this one looked dangerously beautiful. I stopped and tried to blend into the scenery because I wanted to watch. The hawk just stood there, regarding me, and then took the flapping sparrow and flew to a nearby tree.

I very slowly walked to where I could see up into the tree and the hawk looked down at me with these intense eyes -- it was a little unsettling. The poor sparrow continued to flap in vain. Finally the hawk took off again and I didn't see where it went.