If you have ever wondered why the Bald Eagle is our national bird you will wonder no more if you watch one of the many eagle cams set up around the country. They live long lives, mate for life unless one dies then they may "re-mate". They are fierce defenders of their young, tenacious, excellent builders, etc...the list goes on. Who else would we select?
NBC nightly news recently did a bit on the Cincinnati eagle cam. The entire city is caught up in watching a pair and their eggs/hatchlings. There are even large screens in school rooms with the cams going. Cincinnati has not had Bald Eagles in 200 years. So, that's a big WAHOOOO.
Here in the Willamette Valley, there have been numerous sightings of our growing population of Bald Eagles. The guy giving me the "eagle eye" from a limb about 100 feet above me is mated and has a nest nearby. But, my computers around the house are all set to the Decorah Eagle Cam placed high in a tree by a nest in Decorah, Iowa. Below are corn fields and a fish hatchery. Fish hatchery: See, eagles are smart! The pair have been followed for many years, they are referred to as Mom & Dad. They had three eggs this year: D18, D19, D20. So D18 hatched Wednesday, D19 poked his little head out yesterday and D20 has a hole in his egg. I think he took a look at the snow storm engulfing the nest and decided to wait it out inside his snuggy shell. Watching this pair, Mom & Dad caring for each other and their brood, is so interesting it is hard to look away. There were times earlier when the eggs were new that Mom had an inch of snow on her and the surrounding nest. Once in a while she would stand, shake off the snow then settle down on her treasure.
Being a "fair weather camper" it is easy to stay close to home to await the sun and warm days while I watch Mom & Dad tend to their fuzzy babies. But I am watching the weather here and will be ready when the days warm up. The van is packed, clean (inside) and I have maps out. I hope you are preparing for a "Tripping on a Shoestring" summer as April charges into the sunshine. Whether you camp in a tent, van, motorhome or out of a back pack it is time to start whetting your appetite for comfortable hiking boots, wilderness areas, quiet back roads. Don't forget to look up, you might get the old "eagle eye" like I did. What an absolute treat!
Another great column. In addition to getting really interesting pics you are an extremely readable writer. The legend is, Ben Franklin wanted the American wild turkey to be the national bird, though he may have been kidding. He called the eagle a bird of "bad moral character." However, I think we made the right choice and your photo and blog support that notion nicely. Happy camping!
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