Last week, we had a very special visitor outside our doorstep: a peregrine falcon! For five magical days, this bird put on quite a show in the branches of the old tree that sits adjacent to our apartment. My daughter, Shay, noticed the falcon while I was out on Monday morning and alerted me to its presence. That day, a day with wind chills of -20°F, it sat there for hours and we sat there for hours watching it (great for our mental health, not so great for our productivity). The second, third, and fourth days brought much of the same—it would sit in the tree and one or both of us would be there to watch it, cameras in hand. On the fifth day, it was warm enough that I could go outside and view it from the ground below. The falcon puffed and preened while I snapped photos and enjoyed the feel of the mid-winter sun on my face.
I felt like the proud parent of a new baby—everything it did was exciting and enthralling.
Ooh, it scratched it’s face!
Biiigggg stretch!
Wow…it’s walking on the branch!
Lookit that—a yawn!
Wait! Is it napping?
Is it getting ready to fly away? Nope, it just had to poop.
Shay and I decided to name it Maverick. Peregrine falcons are the fastest animals on earth and the fighter jets of the raptor world. Harnessing the power of gravity, a peregrine can dive at speeds of 200 mph, so the name Maverick was a nod to Top Gun and his need for speed (we also thought it would be funny to name a falcon Goose, but in the end, Maverick won out).
The more this magnificent bird graced us with its presence, the more I believed we had been hand selected for this special gift. We’ve lived here almost six years and have never seen a falcon in our tree. Why this raptor? Why this particular moment in time? As is my nature, I became increasingly curious and started wondering if I could glean some spiritual meaning or message from Maverick’s visit. After ample observation and a bit of research, these are my takeaways.
Native Americans believe the peregrine falcon protects our world from evil spirits. They believe these birds of prey to be spiritual beings in connection with the sun and the sky. The word falcon comes from the Latin word “falco/falx” which means sickle-shaped and refers to the way in which the falcon’s wings slash through the air with its sharp maneuvers.
Peregrine falcons are closely linked with the Egyptian God, Horus, who is the God of Sky, War, and Hunting. Scholars of spirituality believe the falcon to be a beacon of wisdom, vision, and strength as well as a harbinger of new phases of life. Visits from falcons are said to guide people towards growth and awareness, inspire clear thinking in hard times, and encourage people to release old patterns and ways of thinking. The falcon inherently takes swift action and makes bold choices, which could be a call on us humans to trust our instincts and stop second guessing ourselves.
As for me and my house, I found Maverick to be a symbol of patience and persistence. Sharp focus and a higher perspective. Self-care and strength. A creature determined, when necessary, to seize opportunities quickly and decisively. He was also a reminder that beauty exists and does, in fact, surround us even in the ugliest of times.
I’m grateful for the time I got to spend watching Maverick, the peregrine falcon. He encouraged me to slow down and take a break from the frenetic pace from which I normally operate. He reminded me to actually do some wintering in the dead of winter. While he perched above, I found myself considering both perception and perspective and pondering how I might be able to sharpen my focus when things seem muddy and murky. And, perhaps most importantly, he reminded me that I, too, am a fierce protector and a wise leader who uses my power responsibly. We are kindreds in that way, and if he can exist in his power so effortlessly and unapologetically, so can I.