| NAME: Bald Eagle or American Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) The Bald Eagle is the United States National Emblem. It was declared the National Emblem of the United States by the Second Continental Congress in 1782. Our earliest American Fathers chose the bird because it is rare to North America. The Bald Eagle became the living symbol of freedom for the United States. The Bald Eagle flies free and dares one to interrupt the flight of their freedom. The eagle is the king of the birds and it's around 90 cm tall and reaches over 2 m between the wings. She builds her nest on the cliff or in a high tree. The nest is so large that a human can sleep in it, it can weigh 700 kg and is also comfortable. The bald eagle has long and sharp talons (approximately 1000 pounds of pressure per square inch in each foot) they can only lift about half their weight. They can fly at speeds of about 65 miles per hour in even flight and up to 150 miles per hour diving. They can fly to altitudes of 10,000 feet or maybe even more. Bald Eagles feed mostly on fish, but they also catch small animals, the size of a duck, they have even been known to eat a few snakes. |
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| Now two of these beautiful eagles built their nest way out there in the deep forest of in Indiana. It was a big nest, made with twigs and beautiful things. Now this nest was the most perfect thing I had ever seen. ( I saw only pictures ) Seemed it set up there in the air way above civilization, where man or any other beast of the field could not harm them. The view from the top of the eagles nest has to be like watching a panoramic movie. I think they can see for miles, I cannot imagine, I would love to be part of their family, living in the skies, watching Gods creation fly on by. I would love to be able to sit up there watching the sun come up out of the east and watching it disappear over the western hills and watch the movement of all Gods creatures a mile away. Do you think maybe they build high up in the sky so they can see their prey coming for miles away or maybe they just want to be ready to read the wind. Eagles can read the wind, they spread their wings and just let the wind carry them high into the Heavens. |
Even Though the tree they had their nest in did not look very sturdy, It never entered my mind that the whole tree would blow over in the snow storm of 2005. We did get 31 inches of snow and that’s a lot of snow for our little state of Indiana. That whole tree just fell right over taking the eagles nest with it. It lay there upon the ground, traces nor pieces of that nest could not be found. Their whole nest just gone, all that hard work gone with one call of nature. Oh, it was terrible; I just can’t imagine loosing my home in a snow storm and never being able to see it again. They probably didn't even own a home owners policy. The eagles flew in and out and surveyed the dilema. One could hear her squawking at him for miles away. I guess she decided that it was his fault like most wives do! Sorry! LOLOLOLOLOL One could tell by just watching those eagles that they were terribly upset, because throughout the season, and sometimes even during fall and winter, eagles keep adding sticks and things to their nest. A pair of eagles use the same nest over and over again. The average eagle nest is only 1.5-1.8 meters in diameter and 0.7-1.2 meters tall. The very first year a nest is built, it may be much smaller. The eagles nest is flat across the top; they contain soft vegetation, and some greenery. They love to build their nest with cornstalks. An eagle’s nest is so strong,a grown man or woman can rest comfortably without having the fear of falling. |
| Images by: George W. Bowles, Sr. 2005 |
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BACK TO: Now this pair of eagles here at Muscatatuck need to build a new nest. I’m wondering where they will build. I read an article that said, if An eagles nest is destroyed by nature, they sometimes build close to the old nest! I’m hoping this will be the case. Eagles need to build their nest close to water so they can catch fish for their babies, but the lakes are so plentiful at the refuge, it just leaves me wondering. Hopefully they’ll build in the same spot again, out of the mainstream of public eye. Since the dad and mom both build the nest, it shouldn’t take them very long. I need to be there with them so I can watch, but home life calls to me and takes me other places. I read the other day that the eagles sometimes can use branches 6 feet long and 2 inches thick. I hope they get to work, because it’s now the middle of January. They start working on their nest from one to three months before the female lays the first egg. I can’t wait to hear about it, or see it, or maybe just a glimpse of a picture of their new home will make me feel so much better. Maybe some of our local photographers can capture the scene so I can see! Maybe some day I'll be lucky enough to just get a real look at their nest way down there deep in the forest of Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. OH WELL, HOPEFULLY WE’LL SEE, I’M WAITING! The Bald Eagle has a 7 foot wing span The Male is dark brown to black and wings set off by a pure white head and tail. Large curved yellow bill and yellow feet. The female is same as male, only larger. They have two off white unmarked eggs. Incubation is 34 to 36 days. The fledgings appear after about 75 to 90 days. Both parents feed the children. ©MARY ALICE BOWLES: FREELANCE WRITER: SOUTHERN INDIANA 1/23/2005 |
| IMAGE BY: MARK TRABUE 2005 USED BY PERMISSION |
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| MOM ON THE LEFT DAD ON THE RIGHT IMAGES BY: GEORGE W. BOWLES, SR. |
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