This weather is for the birds

[GTRS Fiero]

More specifically, eagles.  It's a good thing Ben Franklin didn't get his way with his bird of choice for our national symbol.  We went bird watching.  We saw bald eagles, but from a distance.  There was one golden eagle, which isn't native here.  I know that the bald eagle doesn't get its white feathers until 5 years of age.  This was a golden eagle.  There was also what may have been a hawk.  Whatever it was, it was large, with a white breast.  Clearly a raptor, but the distance was really past the range of my equipment.

[Fierofool]

Where did you go to see them? 

There is a series of lakes about 75 miles south of me.  They relocated Bald Eagles to the region and they did well, building their nests in the standing trees that were left in the lakebed area.  We used to fish a lot on those lakes and often saw Eagles flying, perched or even on their nest.  Within the past month, I heard on TV that there was only 1 remaining nesting pair of Bald Eagles in the whole state.  I find that hard to believe or comprehend. 

[GTRS Fiero]

We went to the OCOR bridge over the Mississippi.  There are a bunch of places to see them.  Usually, there is a tour way up the Great River Road later this month, but I haven't been in years.  There is supposed to be a misplaced owl in the area.  The owl is supposed to be in Canada, and somehow ended up here.  I didn't go see it.

Bald eagles used to be on the endangered species list.

One of the bald eagles we saw today was hit by a car.  Twice.  The eagle is still alive, but will never fly again.

[TopNotch]

I saw a bald eagle in flight fairly close while motoring around in a rented motorboat on lake Ouachita in Arkansas several years ago. They are a majestic sight.

[GTRS Fiero]

Yeah.  With a 7-foot wingspan, they are awe-inspiring.