It's A Bird...No, it's an Eagle

The eagle traffic has been heavy and steady this year. Actually, I think it's just that I'm better at spotting them than from my first year in Sitka. As of late I don't see as many as often, but during the winter, spring and most of summer our national bird flew overhead and around our home and island all the time.

It's a normal day to see several of them playing in the wind passes and currents from the mountain behind our house. They can fly by so close I duck for fear of bird crap. Then there's the dead tree not far off the road whenever we drive toward town. Usually I count 3+ hanging in that tree. I can tell their method of sailing over the harder work the ravens exert to cover the same distance. Their golfball heads pop among the trees while we spend time on the boat.

Sometimes they're not so subtle or natural, but downright obvious, like when a juvenile landed in a convenience store parking lot and just starting walk around. Or when I pulled away from the McDonald's drive-thru (I know, I know!) and saw one also doing a close drive-thru (our McD's has an awfully scenic parking lot view).

When an eagle passes overhead and we're sitting on our porch, I'll point and say to Andy, "bird." He doesn't even look up. I say, "hey, you missed a good one of an eagle!" He said, "then, say it's an eagle, not a bird." Although scientific categorizing says I'm technically right, to Andy--and most of us--the eagle is so much more than just a "bird." Their grace, strength and beauty is so romantic/captivating.

We're amateurs with photos and we certainly don't try to take pictures of eagles, but sometimes the moment comes together for us to document just one of our many encounters.

 Photos by our friend, BV, while playing on our camera aboard the Cajun Queen.

 Golfball heads. One above and at least three in the picture below.

 No eagle eye needed to spot the eagle in the picture, below. 

Just like the look of the moon one evening from our yard in early July. :)

*Amy