Joann, 68

'A Love for Birds'

“My favorite thing is my dog. I love horses. Certain birds, I love. Do you love birds? I like the eagles. Have you ever had a eagle come right up to ya and scream at ya? I was at the cemetery, workin’. I guess I was in the wrong area, and I was in his hunting ground. He knocked me down to the ground. He didn’t hurt me. My boss was only about 30 yards away and he come a runnin’. ‘Are you okay?! Did that bird try to kill ya?! That bird coulda killed you!’  All he did is knock me down and scream in my ear. I think he was saying ‘Hey lady, you’re in my huntin’ ground, get the hell outta here before I eat you!’ And there was a hawk, too, screamin’ at me, but he didn’t come close, he was screamin’ too.”

Photograph and story documented by Kelly Hannah.