The End Of A Life, Once Red In Tooth And Claw

A short distance from home I came across this buzzard, dead on the side of the road, only a few meters from where we picked up an injured but VERY alive buzzard and took it to the vets (only for it sadly to be put down not long after).

Buzzards and goshawks bother our chickens occasionally and very regularly kill the collard doves around where we live, but they are such beautiful creatures and are only doing what they need to do to survive themselves, so I can bear them no malice.

I don't like to see these majestic birds ending their days on kerb so I picked him up and laid him deep in the undergrowth of the verge where nature will take its course.....

See also http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/1494422 and http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsonewattle/6323313613/