I have written this first paragraph so many times, each time hoping it would improve eventually. Every time it sounded like I knew a lot about eagles, etc. which I sure don't. The paragraphs bored me to tears. All I can really say with any degree of confidence is what I have observed myself.
Lunch
To watch eagles soaring and catching the thermals is best described as amazing. Seeing those magnificent birds soaring high and gliding took my breath away. Then, to gaze at them swoop down to the River, scoop up a fish, and disappear in the trees, well, you just cannot imagine.
When waterways in Canada and Great Lakes freeze over, eagles fly down to my stretch of the country to the Mississippi where the River flows freely and fish are swimming around. Eagles will eat live or dead fish,doesn't matter.
These photos used were taken near The Marina at the Illinois side of Mississippi River, my home area. Closest city for reference is Louisiana, MO, just down the River from Hannibal, Missouri (Mark Twain's birthplace). Bird watchers estimate there are 2,000 birds each year along the River in the zone from Alton, IL, to this area, Pike County.**
Groups of eagles are called a "kettle", at any given spot, and Birders find it difficult to count. With all with their feathers fluffed out for warmth or riding the chunks of river ice, this sight stays in my own memory. No photos are ever needed.
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:31
**The photos were taken by a fellow student from high school, Russ Adams. Well done, Russ.
It's easy to lie back on a summer day and watch the eagles, the hawks, the buzzards soar. We have so many sorts by us. It's so easy to say they do it for pleasure, that is anthropomorphizing them, but they must be. They're not doing it for our pleasure. If they only knew.
Eagles would be near water-ways, away from populations. You would have to drive out to those places.
I lamented once to my dad that there must be no eagles near our farm. He told me that there were always eagles when he was scooping up dead baby pigs to burn. they are scavengers as well as hunters.
I have only seen an eagle in the wild a few times. Of course, I might have seen some and not known what I was looking at. We, though, who live in and around Philadelphia, watched our own Eagles fly this weekend. It was a blast.
Wow, I've never seen one bald eagle in the wild, let alone a kettle of them! It must be quite a site. We have turkey vultures here and they soar just as well on those thermals.
Great!! Has had great sales, and 2nd book (had already been written, as #3) is due out in March. Paper copy come out then as well. thanks for asking. I appeciate it.
I love birds and bald eagles are especially magnificent. Grouse have been the stars around our feeders this winter. We don't see them every year but we have this year.
We have a bunch of eagles around here too! One day I was driving down the road and as I came to an intersection, there was one standing in the middle of the road! It was pretty cool.
Dear Susan, "On Eagle's Wings" is for me one of the most beautiful of compositions. The lyrics speak to all of us I think no matter what our spiritual belief and the music soars within us.
I used to live along the St. Croix River in Minnesota. (It empties into the Mississippi.) Many eagles nested there in the trees lining the Boom Site where the logs used to jam up back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Watching them soar and wheel and sweep and dive for fish makes one's breath go away! Peace.
It's easy to lie back on a summer day and watch the eagles, the hawks, the buzzards soar. We have so many sorts by us. It's so easy to say they do it for pleasure, that is anthropomorphizing them, but they must be. They're not doing it for our pleasure. If they only knew.
ReplyDeleteWell said. What we see, what they see, are two different aspects. Flying like an eagle, what must it be like.
DeleteApparently we have eagles in Saskatchewan. I've only ever seen one in Ontario and it was in captivity.
ReplyDeleteEagles would be near water-ways, away from populations. You would have to drive out to those places.
DeleteI lamented once to my dad that there must be no eagles near our farm. He told me that there were always eagles when he was scooping up dead baby pigs to burn. they are scavengers as well as hunters.
I have only seen an eagle in the wild a few times. Of course, I might have seen some and not known what I was looking at. We, though, who live in and around Philadelphia, watched our own Eagles fly this weekend. It was a blast.
ReplyDeleteExcellent game! Scores were so close, Eagles played well. Great qtrback.
DeleteWow, I've never seen one bald eagle in the wild, let alone a kettle of them! It must be quite a site. We have turkey vultures here and they soar just as well on those thermals.
ReplyDeleteWings spread, just floating around...amazing.
DeleteThere are/were a ton of them near here, not sure if they are still there, but they were. Sure a sight to see.
ReplyDeleteChances are they are down south, but hope you see them again when spring-ish.
DeleteMust be a sight. Have you met the blogger who is from Hannibal? One A to Z she wrote about various sights around her home town.
ReplyDeleteNo, I didn't know there was one! I wonder who she is?
DeleteWe don't have eagle sightings around here. I'd love to see them soar. We do have a hawk that hangs out in the neighbor's tree.
ReplyDeleteSomeday, maybe.
DeletePS How's your daughter's writing going?
ReplyDeleteGreat!! Has had great sales, and 2nd book (had already been written, as #3) is due out in March. Paper copy come out then as well. thanks for asking. I appeciate it.
DeleteI want to be an eagle in my next life if there is one!
ReplyDeleteIf not, then you will see how it came to be.
DeleteI've never seen an eagle and don't know much about them except that they fly high in the sky and swoop down fast for some pie.
ReplyDeleteThey are good at that.
DeleteI love birds and bald eagles are especially magnificent. Grouse have been the stars around our feeders this winter. We don't see them every year but we have this year.
ReplyDeleteWe have seen many waterfowl this year out in the golf course pond. Beautiful. Mallards and hens have hooked up.
DeleteWe have a bunch of eagles around here too! One day I was driving down the road and as I came to an intersection, there was one standing in the middle of the road! It was pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteHow splendid!
Delete
ReplyDeleteThank you for this your broadcast provided bright clear concept.
หนังออนไลน์
Thanks for checking in!
DeleteDear Susan, "On Eagle's Wings" is for me one of the most beautiful of compositions. The lyrics speak to all of us I think no matter what our spiritual belief and the music soars within us.
ReplyDeleteI used to live along the St. Croix River in Minnesota. (It empties into the Mississippi.) Many eagles nested there in the trees lining the Boom
Site where the logs used to jam up back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Watching them soar and wheel and sweep and dive for fish makes one's breath go away! Peace.
It truly is!
DeleteI learned something new. I had no idea a group of eagles was called a kettle. Thanks for a fun new fact.
ReplyDeleteCan never have enough facts. A group of crows is called a "murder". Go figure.
Delete