Why Wash the Deck When You Can Soar with Hawks?

Hey there, fellow weekend warriors and park lovers!

If you're like me, you probably have a similar Monday-to-Friday routine, maybe throw in a few weekend chores, and voilà, another week is in the books. This past weekend was supposed to be no different. I had my sights set on some thrilling power washing. Yes, that’s right—power washing! Borrowed my buddy’s washer and everything. But then… something magical happened. I scrolled through Facebook (as one does), and boom! There it was on our page, Hawk Watch at Caesars Head!

I dropped that power washer like a bad habit and texted my wife. Plans changed faster than a hawk in a thermal updraft!

For those not in the know, Hawk Watch at Caesars Head has been happening since the late '80s. Imagine hundreds—no, THOUSANDS—of birds, from hawks to songbirds end even butterflies, all migrating south. As they travel, these winged wonders catch thermals (like invisible elevators of warm air) to soar higher and conserve energy. They use a circling technique called a "kettle"—a swirling, mesmerizing spiral of birds. If you’ve never seen it, trust me, it’s nature’s Cirque du Soleil, minus the spandex. The view from the park can get incredibly busy some days, in fact back in 2013, our trained watchers counted over 11,000 raptors in a single day from the overlook! Talk about bird traffic.

So, Saturday morning, we were off to the overlook at Caesars Head. Our day kicked off bright and early, fueled by coffee and the kind of deep, philosophical conversations that only happen when you’re slightly sleep-deprived. When we arrived at the overlook, we were greeted by none other than park naturalist, Tim Lee. Now, Tim’s got the kind of passion and knowledge that makes you wonder if he might just be part hawk himself. He shared the history of the hawk watch, sprinkled with fun facts that made me feel like I was on an episode of Animal Planet. Did you know they believe raptors can see magnetic poles and that birds take mini-naps mid-flight by shutting off half of their brain? (I think I do that sometimes!)

We saw a peregrine falcon zoom by and dive like it had somewhere important to be, hawks riding thermals and even a vulture who clearly wanted to be the star of the show. Every few minutes, as Tim was sharing information, someone would shout BIRD and all eyes and binoculars would whip around to catch the action as Tim walked us through identifying the bird and discussing what it was doing. It was like a birdwatching, storytelling group activity —nature-style.

After a morning of birdwatching, I wasn’t ready to head home just yet (who needs clean walkways and porches anyway?). So, we made our way to Paris Mountain State Park for their Music in the Woods program. The staff there, led by Shawn Lewellyn (and an incredible volunteer Melinda, who also happens to be Shawn’s wife), have for many years put on this program bringing live music to the outdoor amphitheater at the park. Every Saturday in September and October, they have live music performances nestled in the woods. Talk about ambiance! It’s like Mother Nature decided to throw a music festival, and the headliner this past weekend was Taylor Corum. The vibe was so chill, even the squirrels were tapping their feet.

There’s something magical about sitting among the trees, letting the music float through the forest, and realizing that laundry, grass cutting, and pressure washing can wait.

So, did I get my yard work done? Eventually. But you know what? It can wait. The raptors aren’t going to wait for you, and neither will the magic of our parks. So the next time you’re staring down a weekend of chores, consider this: The grass will keep growing. The house will always need a little TLC. But the experiences you’ll have in nature? Those are the moments you’ll remember.

And yeah, I did get some pressure washing done.

See you out there!

P.S. Don’t miss out on the Atalaya Festival next weekend—art, food, and, of course, the beach! Because let’s face it—weekends are for adventures, not lawnmowers. Shannon and I will be there!

Paul