Fly Like An Eagle
During our recent local boating excursions, besides my last post on the Osprey, another bird that we saw frequently was the American Bald Eagle. This bird’s beauty is breathtaking as it flies high in the sky or rests on a perch. I could never tire of watching one.
An Eagle’s wingspan is 6-7 feet wide. They can live up to 30 years in the wild, but average 15 years. We are very lucky that the Chesapeake Bay area hosts Eagles year round.
Here’s some of my photos taken while trying to balance myself in a boat. 🙂
One trip we headed way up the Wye River leading off the circle around Wye Island, and I spotted an Eagle’s nest, then realized there were three Eaglets perched above it. Trying to photograph them from the water in the boat made it very difficult to get all three with their heads up and in full view. In the first one photo, the top left Eaglet was preening himself. No, he’s not headless!
Three Eaglets at their nest
When he finally sat up, I lost the third one behind a branch, darn it!
Three Eaglets at their nest
I was pretty darn excited when I spotted this nest! We did not see either parent, but I’m sure one was around, keeping an eye on the teenagers. I’ve now spotted two Eagle nests on the Wye River from our boat on my own. Unbelievably, an Eagle’s nest is typically 5-6 feet in diameter and 3 feet tall. Eagles will reuse their nest and it has been recorded that one in St. Petersburg, Florida, reached over 9 feet in diameter and 20 feet tall, weighing over 2 tons! That had to be one HUGE nest!
Before I end, here’s an Eagle poem that I came across a few years ago that I think you will enjoy.
The Bald Eagle
by Don R. Wilkins
My nest, built on craggy cliff,
or in a tree top high.
I soar above the reaching hills,
on lifting winds I fly.
I raise my young with tender care,
until they fly away.
Their destiny to fly alone,
it is but Nature’s way.
My prey I seek with piercing eye,
and grasp with talon strong.
Then lift into the endless sky,
to sing my victory song.
By strength of wing I’ll soar on high,
my future yet to be.
To glide beyond restricting Earth,
Eternity to see.
My place in Nature is secure,
I’m viewed now with respect.
A Symbol for the strong and free,
I fly with no regret.
With courage yet unquestioned,
there’s challenge in my cry.
I lift to heights, unhindered,
An EAGLE….flying high!
And who doesn’t know this song!
I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I’m free
Fly through the revolution.
By Steve Miller Band
Take time in your life and fly like an Eagle!
🙂
