Out and moving.

Yesterday's bike ride had a surprise marching band. A half-hour earlier and I might not have seen it, a half-hour later and I'd have missed it, but I was in the right window of time to round the curve and head past just as they started up with their last song, drums and bagpipes and all.

Today's ride had a surprise red-tailed hawk. Not that I don't see them much, not that they aren't always a delight; more that seeing one on the ground is a rare thing. Especially when they've got a meal in their talons.

Some sort of small mammal, quite dead, clutched tight as the hawk took off and flew over to a nearby branch to eat, if only the blue jay would leave them alone for a few minutes. I left before I saw the rest of the event unfold, but I presume the hawk had to find yet another spot to eat their meal.

Nature isn't kind and it's rarely pretty, but it's often wonderful. Even in a city park, it's still wild.