This is a rare shot of a Merlin hawk.This bird of prey appeared on our deck on Sunday,and allowed my husband to observe him.This in itself is extremly unusual.It then flew into a very large rhodo near the back of the house.

I had just come home after seeing my father for the last time.He was in hospital since the 19th of Dec.He never bounced back from a routine hernia operation.

I was able to observe this small bird of prey long enough to get some images.My husband and I feel very strongly that this was my father coming to say his last goodbye.

Now the story gets even better...Tuesday morning,I see if the Merlin is still in the rhodo,and I find him face down in the dirt.A friend of ours works at a wild life rescue,and we ask if any one would be interested in looking at the bird.She says that her husband will come by and pick up the hawk.He shows up on a brand new motorcycle,and we stand in the driveway and admire his new bike.I will intergect something here...My father was a motorcycle courier during the second world war.

He leaves with the bird in the saddle bags of the bike.My father's last ride...

The people at the wild life rescue said the only thing wrong with the Merlin hawk was that it starved to death.My father quite eating in the hospital.

My father who was a photographer his whole life,passed at 9:30 Tuesday evening.He is now flying free.