So we're driving to the barn the other day, Maisie hanging out the back window, Jake more dignified, just his nose in the breeze, and I'm so taken with the flock of parrots screeching and careening above us that the hawk right there, just a few feet away, takes a moment to register.

I stop the car. The hawk turns his head. Gives me a look, the look, which if you've been eye level with a raptor, you know exactly what I mean.

I get one not-great photo and, in the time it takes the point-and-shoot to recover and be ready for another shot, the hawk has turned his back and oh-so-casually (thought bubble: foolish human) flown away.

I really, really, really have to start carrying my SLR.