UPDATE: The winner is…Michelle Oxrider!
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©Diana Cosby 2019
When I craft characters, such as Sir Cailin MacHugh, hero of Forbidden Alliance, book #4 in the bestselling The Forbidden Series, I look for animals that can serve as their talisman, something the character believes holds magic powers to protect them, brings good luck, or is a sign of strength.
One of my favorite talismans for characters is a hawk. They’re intelligent, strong, and determined.
The hawk I’m showcasing today is the Cooper’s Hawk.
You can tell if the Cooper’s Hawk is a fledging or an adult by their eye color. Younger birds’ eyes are pale, whereas the older birds’ eyes will darken to a deep red.
Regardless of the type of hawk, whenever you see one on the ground, in a tree, or flying overhead, their regal air commands attention.
It’s obvious why nobles as rulers throughout the centuries have claimed the hawk as a symbol in their banners.
What do you find intriguing about hawks?
About Diana Cosby
A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense. Books in her award-winning MacGruder Brothers series have been translated in five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.
After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world. After the release of the bestselling MacGruder Brothers series, The Oath Trilogy, and the first two book of The Forbidden Series, she’s now working on book #5, Forbidden Realm, of the five-book series, which will be released April 2020.
Contest
***ONE winner will be drawn from everyone who posts on my guest post about, ‘Hawks – Character Talisman,’ on Delilah’s blog between 8th September 2019 – 15th September 2019. The winner will receive one of Diana’s totes and Celtic earrings by Joy Boothby, J and T Jewelry and Designs.
Diana Cosby, International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
The Oath Trilogy
MacGruder Brother Series
Forbidden Series: Forbidden Legacy/Forbidden Knight/Forbidden Vow/Forbidden Alliance‒Aug. 6th 2019/Forbidden Realm April 2020
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I always find hawks intriguing when they end up in suburban areas. It’s always rather startling to me to look out and find one sitting on a fence post. It also make me wonder if it is looking at one of my neighbor’s little yappy white dogs as potential prey snack LOL!!
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Delilah,
My sincere thanks for inviting me back to your wonderful blog to talk about, “Hawks – Character Talisman.” I love photographing hawks, they have incredible presence, and I believe they’re wonderful talisman for my characters. Take care. *Hugs*
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.
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Hi Diana,
Are they very different from falcons? It’s only now that I’ve moved to New Mexico that I’ve gotten to see hawks close up. I’ve only thought about them negatively as birds of prey, so thinking about them as talismans is an intriguing angle. Next time one lands on our fence, I’ll think about them that way rather than something looking to make a snack out of my cat. Thanks for the post.
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I love the concept of a hawk as a talisman.
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pretty pics
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Hawks definitely have a presence and do look regal. I’ve been trying to snag a picture of a red-shouldered hawk that likes to hang out around my property for the last few years. I swear he knows when I have my camera ready and flies right when I take the shot even if I’m inside. Or he hangs out just outside of zoom distance so I can’t get a good closeup. One of his favorite perches is atop a tall, old, dead tree. I like to think he’s surveying his domain when he’s up there.
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I find their shear beauty intriguing. They look so graceful in flight and so strong.
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Michelle Oxrider wrote: I always find hawks intriguing when they end up in suburban areas. It’s always rather startling to me to look out and find one sitting on a fence post. It also make me wonder if it is looking at one of my neighbor’s little yappy white dogs as potential prey snack LOL!!
~Hi Michelle, I appreciate your stopping by. I agree and am amazed at the amount of hawks in suburban areas. Often, I seen them in my yard and even on my porch. Take care and have a wonderful day!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.
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Anna Taylor Sweringen wrote: Hi Diana,
~Hi Anna, nice seeing you. 🙂
Are they very different from falcons?
~It depends on the hawk, the Red Tailed Hawk is quite a bit larger than a Sharp Shinned Hawk.
It’s only now that I’ve moved to New Mexico that I’ve gotten to see hawks close up. I’ve only thought about them negatively as birds of prey, so thinking about them as talismans is an intriguing angle. Next time one lands on our fence, I’ll think about them that way rather than something looking to make a snack out of my cat. Thanks for the post.
~Hawks are amazing, but yes, pet owners need to ensure their smaller pets are in a safe location when birds of prey are in the area. I hope you enjoy living in New Mexico. It’s a beautiful area. Take care, and I appreciate your stopping by!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.
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Mary Preston wrote: I love the concept of a hawk as a talisman.
~:) Hi Mary, thank you so much for stopping by. Hawks are gorgeous and to me, inspiring, and a natural choice for a talisman. Take care and enjoy your day!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.
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bn100 wrote: pretty pics
~Thank you so much, bn100. I appreciate your stopping by. 🙂
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.
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Tamara Kasyan wrote: Hawks definitely have a presence and do look regal.
~Hi Tamara, I appreciate your stopping by. Yes, hawks do have an amazing and regal presence.
I’ve been trying to snag a picture of a red-shouldered hawk that likes to hang out around my property for the last few years. I swear he knows when I have my camera ready and flies right when I take the shot even if I’m inside. Or he hangs out just outside of zoom distance so I can’t get a good closeup. One of his favorite perches is atop a tall, old, dead tree. I like to think he’s surveying his domain when he’s up there.
~That’s neat that you have a Red Shouldered Hawk living nearby. I haven’t seen one of those. The hawks here love sitting on old, dead tree limbs. Totally understand how hawks can be elusive when you have a camera. 🙂 Good luck in catching a photo of the hawk!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.
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Debra K Guyette wrote: I find their shear beauty intriguing. They look so graceful in flight and so strong.
~Hi Debra, thank you so much for stopping by. Yes, hawks are incredible, their beauty, intelligence, and grace is something to behold. Take care and I hope you have a terrific day!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.
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We used to see hawks in our backyard when I lived in Ohio. It was a suburban area but we also saw deer in the winter.
Our fur baby only weighed 5 pounds when we rescued him so we never let him go out without one of us going in the yard with him. The are beautiful birds but I prefer to see them at a distance. 🙂
Your pictures are beautiful, as always.
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ButtonsMom2003 wrote: We used to see hawks in our backyard when I lived in Ohio. It was a suburban area but we also saw deer in the winter.
~Hi ButtonsMom2003, thank you so much for stopping by. It’s wonderful seeing wildlife in your backyard.
Our fur baby only weighed 5 pounds when we rescued him so we never let him go out without one of us going in the yard with him. The are beautiful birds but I prefer to see them at a distance. 🙂
~Hawks are gorgeous. You’re wise to keep an eye on your fur baby when outside with hawks in the area.
Your pictures are beautiful, as always.
~Thank you so much for your kind words about my photos. Take care, and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.
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I’m in awe of hawks for their graceful gliding on the wind when they fly, using it’s force to carry him across the sky with little effort. I have one hawk that will fly just above my house when I’m outside….so close that I see the feathers on his wings flutter as he glides by. They’re beautiful creatures and I watch them often.
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Lorrie Cline wrote: I’m in awe of hawks for their graceful gliding on the wind when they fly, using it’s force to carry him across the sky with little effort. I have one hawk that will fly just above my house when I’m outside….so close that I see the feathers on his wings flutter as he glides by. They’re beautiful creatures and I watch them often.
~Hi Lorrie, thank you so much for visiting. I agree, hawks are fascinating to watch. Wow, that’s incredible that the hawk flies so close to you. I hope you’re enjoying the last days of summer!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.
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What an interesting concept of using an animal as a talisman for your characters! Hawks are amazing creatures. I saw them in action during a “Birds of Prey” show at a wildlife center. They have very sharp vision and can see 8 times more clearly than humans. When chasing prey some hawks can reach an amazing speed of 150 mph.
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BookLady wrote: What an interesting concept of using an animal as a talisman for your characters! Hawks are amazing creatures. I saw them in action during a “Birds of Prey” show at a wildlife center. They have very sharp vision and can see 8 times more clearly than humans. When chasing prey some hawks can reach an amazing speed of 150 mph.
~Hi BookLady, thank you so much for stopping by. I agree, hawks are amazing. They have such a majestic presence. Wow, thank you for sharing, I didn’t realize that some hawks can reach speeds of 150 mph while chasing prey. Take care, and I hope you enjoy the last days of summer!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.
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Congrats to Michelle! And thanks to Diana for a great post and a great contest prize!
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Delilah, thank you so much for inviting me back to your wonderful blog, deeply appreciated.
My sincere thanks to everyone for stopping by, deeply appreciated.
Congratulations to Michelle Oxrider, the winner of the tote and Celtic earrings!
Take care, and I wish each of you a wonderful fall!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.