The Birds of Prey Centre receives a lot of bald eagle rescues. Last year they got 3 and this year they have already had 4 brought to them. Usually they are juvenile eagles and are found starving or injured. It takes a lot of energy for the birds to hunt, so if they get too hungry and are having a hard time finding food, they can easily become too weak to hunt.
Bald Eagles don't get their white feathers until they are about 5 years old. The eagle we saw fly was about 4 so she was just starting to have white feathers come in. She was also a huge beauty. The females are generally larger than the males. She was 8.5 pounds where a standard male would be about 7 pounds.
I just loved watching her fly.
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| Hanging out in the Eagle Aviary |
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| Sitting on the post waiting for the flight show |
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| After the show, a shower from the hose and drink from the bowl |
When Moiya, David and I went to the aviary in Duncan, B.C. on the island, we also so a show like this. In our case, when the bird came swooping down from its released at the top of the hill, it was quite a thrilling sight, We sat on bleachers and listened to the presenter, as well as saw him work with the bird. When I see a bald eagle in the sky, I am filled with more wonder and amazement, than previously. Your event happened near Lethbridge, didn't it?
ReplyDeleteThe centre is in Coledale which is about 25 minutes from our house in Lethbridge. Heading toward Taber. I love it when I spot birds of prey in the wild, but getting to see them up close is a true privilege. They are all magnificent creatures. One of my favourite was called the long-eared owl. A small but tall and skinny little thing. Adorable. So, so adorable.
ReplyDeleteLeo knows the fellow who was flying the eagles for us that day. He is a music student at the University of Lethbridge -- a talented saxaphone player. He has been working summers at the birds of prey centre for many years. He is one of only 2 or 3 trainers who fly the eagles. We were sitting on the front row (a habit I picked up from Arta). On about the 4th time the eagle landed on his hand I asked if it is amazing every single time that happens or if he gets used to it. He said, yes, it is amazing every single time.
DeleteThe female eagles are not only bigger than the males, they are feistier. So trainers have to pay extra special attention to the birds. They tend to nip at the trainers fingers -- a bit playing, a bit asserting their dominance. This is one reason the gloves are a necessity. One time the owner of the facility was doing a show flying an eagle and it reached over and nipped at his ear and took his earlobe right off. Luckily the lobe was found and reattached. A few months later the same bird did the same thing. Again, the lobe was reattached. Yikes. They all hold the birds far enough out now that they can't reach over to human ears. Even if your arm is getting tired and feeling heavy, you don't bring it in for a rest.
DeleteWhen I see an owl, I, too, think it is the cutest little thing. One winter I was at the lake, and I was studying my Birds of B.C. Book. Then I turned to look out the window and there was an owl in the tree, just like the book said there would be. I was so pleased. It was like having a slide show (the bird) along with a lecture (the book).
DeleteWhenever we would drive through Coledale, we were either coming from or going to Barnwell, and there was no stopping for us. Now when I am in a car, I know that there is charm in getting acquainted with small villages and towns and what they have to offer.
DeleteA gruesome story about someone having their earlobe pecked off -- twice! Just gruesome.
DeleteI like to hear that you are in the front row. When we were up in Duncan, Moiya, Dave and I took the front row, and the birds choose to land closer to the back of the crowd. I am not accustomed to craning my neck around to the back of the crowd to see what the excitement was about. We did feel the power of the bird as it would swoop down low.
As well, there were eagles in the sky, passing through on high winds. The trainer was a bit worried that there would be a sky war over territory and he was chanting a mantra, hoping he wouldn't lose his eagle to that.
This series of post was pure joy for me as it brought back a flood of memories from my childhood and early married years. Love you all Mary!!
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