Yesterday I saw a bald eagle. It was a magnificent sight and one of those core memories I hope to never fade.
I have seen them from afar but have never seen one airborne that was so close. From afar, they look like a large bird of prey but it’s hard to appreciate just how large they are. My bird guide says their wingspan can reach from 6 to 7.5 foot!
I came around a curve in time to see this magnificent creature flying across a field and over the road ahead of my car before turning to retrace its path back across the field toward a creek.
Friends, it was so close I could see its eyes. It was so close I had the sensation it could land on the hood of my car. It was so close that it felt like something miraculous was happening.
How something this large can move so gracefully and so elegantly through the air is beyond me. The moment happened so fast and I was driving so I have no photographic evidence. In case you are not sure what a bald eagle looks like, here’s a stock image.
President Biden signed legislation on Christmas Eve that makes the bald eagle our national bird. It’s strange because I already thought it was the national bird so I’m glad that’s finally done.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) says that January is a great time for spotting bald eagles. That’s because this is when they begin courtship and pair bonding. With the foliage gone, they’re easier to spot here in the heavily wooded hills.
Have you seen a bald eagle in the wild? Tell me your story!
I have always lived near the Mississippi River. So, in the winter, bald eagles hang around the river, especially near locks and dams, for easy fishing. We’ve gone to Eagle Days a number of times and viewed them up close and over the river. We also saw some in Alaska last summer. They are a magnificent sight as you described! We have bald eagles here in Big Cypress, and I’ve thought I’ve seen one in the far distance a few times – but I can’t be sure. Too far. Maybe I will get as lucky as you and see one closer – so I can have no doubt!
That’s wonderful! Tell me more about Eagle Days. That sounds interesting! They are not exactly rare in Ohio but they aren’t often seen so I feel quite fortunate.
I truly hope you get to have a close experience soon. It’s incredible.
Eagle Days are held every January in Clarksville, MO – which is right along the Mississippi. It’s a fun time, and you do get to see the eagles up close.
That sounds fun!! What a great event!
Amazing!!!
I was awestruck!
Indeed, a beautiful, feathered friend!
I have more stories than you care to hear. I spent an entire field season as a bald eagle nest watcher for Arizona Game & Fish. They perch near my house often. I’m glad you enjoyed your close encounter. I just read an article in Living Bird magazine about the man who created the legislation. Preston Cook is an eagle aficionado from San Francisco who amassed a collection of 40k eagle items. He contacted his senator (Feinstein) who did the research and discovered the lack of a national bird. wrote the bill and donated his collection to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota. He and his wife liked the town so much they moved there.
First of all- how fortunate you are to have opportunities to spot bald eagles! I would love to see them perching near my home!
And I wondered who lobbied for this legislation. I was genuinely surprised that we didn’t have a national bird given that we use the bald eagle so liberally as a symbol of our nation.
Learn something new every day!