Time for your eagle story
Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 9:00AM | Eagle Cam Moderator I had mentioned in a previous post that we would talk about some of the threats that face eagles today. But before I do that I am hoping that you who are reading this will share with all of us your first eagle sighting. Where were you? When was it? How did it make you feel? What made it memorable?
These stories are often so vivid in our minds. I feel it is important for the younger generation to understand how close we came to losing the eagle, and these stories will help show that. In a couple of day's I will start my discussion talking about why we came so close to losing the eagle.
I will share first.
My first experience was when in the 80's when I was in High School and our church youth group took a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for a week. This was a very different habitat than the area around Glenville Minnesota where I grew up, so lots of things were knew to me. Moose and Common Loons were new and fascinating to see. One day though while we were out paddling across a lake, I looked up into the picture perfect blue sky and there was an adult Bald Eagle. I pointed it out to everyone and we all stopped paddling and watched in awe. I was into birds and nature since a young age, so I knew of the plight of the eagle and knew how great of an event this was to be able to witness. The Bald Eagle circled a few times and then landed in a large, old white pine. With the bird sitting in the brilliant green pine, the azure blue sky and wispy white clouds behind it, that scene will forever be etched in my memory! Thankfully I have seen thousands of eagles since, but this one Bald Eagle I will always remember.
Now it's your time to share!
Reader Comments (6)
I probably can't write this story as beautifully as you did yours, but there was a group of us friends, about 8 total, that took our boats down the Mississippi River for our vacation. Stopping by all your little towns in Minnesota along the way. This was probably around 15 years ago. We camped overnight on the sand bars, and this particular one, we saw a huge nest in a tree, not sure what tree it was, but then saw this beautiful creature flying around it... I was just in awe at the beauty and power it had..because of course, never seen one in real life before, so this was my magical moment. This was rare, as then, were hard to find. Ever since then, I have been in love with the eagles. They are so different in size from what we see on cameras, because up close, they look HUGE!! They are mystical as well as serene in their surroundings. I cannot believe how big they are compared to cam view. I especially hope and pray our "hey buddy Harmon" lives to be as old and beautiful as they were meant to. Our hearts are especially touched by him/her as I know yours is as well. Fly free Harmon, out into the wild blue yonder and you are taking our love with you!
I've been watching eagle nests since last year.
In this nest I see a lonely eaglet who isn't being fed on a regular basis.
As Harmon gets bigger he will need more food.
Where do the eagles fish or is there a bountiful supply of food nearby?
I watched the Decorah nest and last year I watched the Garden eagles
bring up three eaglets each.
No problem that I saw but then Mom eagle from the Norfolk Botanical
Garden nest was killed by a plane coming in. Why would anyone
in their right mind build an international airport right next door
to a beautiful Botanical garden?
They both were opened in the year 1938 from what I read.
Humans are the worst destroyers of wild birds and animals.
If I had my way, there would be no more hunting in America.
If i had my way....
So I hope you're keeping close watch on Harmon.
He is special and needs care.
I hope his parents gain more experience.
They are a loving beautiful family of eagles.
Ma Tipanna
I can remember the first eagle i saw was in captivity in Logan Utah. He had been injured. But since then have had some unbelievable times seeing them. Rmember being in Yellowstone and driving and a eagle flew eye level along side of us for quite a ways. Also on that trip seen my first nest. One of the great times was in a remote canyon in NV and laying in a recliner chair outside and watching adults flying with 3 young ones. Can't believe all the fun they were having. Watched them for about hour. Was campground hosting in CO, would get up early and walk. Every morning down by the lake a eagle would follow me as I wlked from tree to tree. then i would set on the bank and he would sit in a dead tree and we would enjoy each other company for awhile. Have seen them many other times in my travels also. As side note have you ever sit by a lake in the CO and her snorting behind you. First thought was a bear, but when I turned around there was a moose cow and he calf. This can be very scarey as they are vey protctive of there young as some people can tell you. So just sat there and would you believe that cow came up and sniffed me and the calf came around and came almost nose to nose with me. Calf played around me for over a half hour and occassionally come right up to me. Mom went back to edge of the tmber and just started eating. The worse is I always generaly carry may camera and this was time I didn't. Been in every state west of the Mississippi and have seen and encountered so many things in the those travels. Everyone needs to go out and see all there is out there. Love all the cams I watch as I don't get to travel that much anymore. But they give me the chance to see what still going on in the great outdoors.
I hear poor little Harmon calling but no parent to feed him this morning... I hope some human comes by with food for him.
Is there a river near the nest where the parents can fish?
He sounds so pitiful.
Harmon may need assistance again. He is hungry. Ma Tipanna :(
I don't believe in letting nature take its course if humans can help they should help wildlife.
My first sighting of an eagle was at Yellowstone. We had heard they were nesting along the river. So we stopped and waited for a good 45 minutes. We could see one in the tree top. As we snapped pictures of this one we heard one call from down river. We were lucky enough to see the one we were watching fly down river. Then to our delight and amazement the two flew right past us. We got to see the two and take a few pictures as they flew past. We saw a lot more eagles throughout Yellowstone. Never enough sightings to please us. We had a dream day watching the eagles.
I will never forgot the first time I saw an adult BE. My family and I were camping at a state park in the Pocono mountains of PA. I grew up camping at this park. Had been camping there for almost 30 years. On the beach one day I saw a bird circling overhead. I got my binoculars out and followed it as it soared over the lake. I think the other people on the beach thought I was nuts - I kept yelling "it's an Eagle!!" That was in 1999. The following year I found out where they built their nest and they've been raising young there ever since. This year makes eaglets #21 and 22!! And I am now a volunteer Eagle Monitor for the park. :)