This was one of the most heartwrenching scenarios I’ve witnessed in a really long time.
Picture me in my bedroom, folding and putting away clean laundry, when from the corner of my eye, I see movement through the window. My bedroom overlooks the garden, so I have a clear view.
I had a front row seat to watch a red tailed hawk snatch a dove out of the air, mid-flight, wrestle him to the ground, and proceed to do what birds of prey do.
It all happened in a split second as I watched, mouth agape, frozen in place. I managed to grab my phone and take one not very good photo; it’s through the screen and out of focus.
Just like this guy, most hawks practice what is known as mantling. This involves the bird spreading out its wings and covering its prey, hiding it from the eyes of other animals or larger predators that may want to steal their catch.
As quickly as it started, the drama was over, and I’m left with a circle of feathers. His/her spouse was looking all over the garden for her/him for a couple of hours, which made it all even more sad.
Predator versus prey. Rest in peace, little dove.
Later on, a tiny baby bunny was sniffing the feathers with his mom nearby, at least I think it was mom. I clapped my hands so they’d run for cover because I really didn’t want to see it happen all over again. The circle of life can be brutal.
Enchanted Seashells | Princess Rosebud 
As sad as it is, everything has to eat. There are, fortunately, plenty of doves. A starving hawk is just as sad as any other hungry animal. I’d just as soon they not hunt right in front of me, but I get it. They are breeding now; they need food for themselves and their fledglings. It is a very hungry time of year for all the birds.
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I’m just glad the kids weren’t here to see it and get traumatized.
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I know what you mean about the circle of life feeling brutal at times. Last summer I saw something on the lawn and discovered it was the hind end of a very small baby bunny. Just two legs. So sad. My only solace was knowing that it was no longer suffering and our prey animals keep the rabbit and rodent populations down.
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Perfectly said. So many people never actually see these kinds of things unless it’s on a video or youtube or something, and to witness it in real life is a whole different feeling. Your poor bunny 😦
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