The Eagle Has Landed

The Bald Eagle, natures majestic creature that is America's symbol. What makes an Eagle so powerful to the heart? I see one perched up high on a tree top or soaring in the sky and my heart is over whelmed with emotions. Is it because the Eagle is a symbol of America and all it stands for or because what the Eagle is and all it presents to us? Maybe a little of both.

June 20 1782, the Bald Eagle became the National bird and symbol for America. It can appear on official documents, currency, public buildings and flags. June 20 is American Eagle Day. So, in our Summer when the outdoor temperatures start to heat up, we plan picnics with families and friends and gather for our Independence Day on July 4th, we think of freedom. We also see freedom in the symbol of this amazing bird. The Bald Eagle is our symbol for many reason, what the Eagle represents. The Eagle is not only strong and independent but they are survivors. They are majestic, bold and faithful. They are all the above and a symbol of strength and determination.

It is not only how bold a Bald Eagle is seen against the blue sky with its white head and white tail feathers, the orange beak and talons against the dark brown feathers that visually helps it stand out in fir tree. The Eagle mates for life, it is naturally loyal and dedicated that a pair will stay together. It displays its independence and strength with the ability to soar up to 10,000 feet in the sky, sharing the determination in our hearts, " soaring to new heights". The Eagle lives fearless and lives in the truth, " the truth shall set you free". It has a wing span 6-8 feet across and when they dive for a fish in the river or rodent in a field, they have the ability by streamlining the wings in tight and hitting up to 100mph. While they soar to extreme heights, they glide with grace and excellence, "ability to soar to the Heavens so gracefully giving a symbol of hope and salvation".

The Eagle has incredible eye sight, seeing 8 times as far as a human and that small rodent can be 2 miles away, "eagle eyes". All of these short sayings I have quoted, come from our feeling of awe the Eagle reflects in our hearts.

In 1969 the crew of Apollo 11 landed its lunar module on the moon, named,"the Eagle". It was named for the Eagles significance of strength and peace. In 1969, "the Eagle has landed" still holds in our souls with that same strength.

A couple weeks ago, the neighbors called so I could run up with the camera and capture a Bald Eagle that was in their field, I make special trips out in the Winter months to view the Eagles by the river. Arriving, I found the Eagle sitting in stress on a stump in a snowy field. Its wings were held out and bent and it did not turn its head my direction. The Eagle was injured. My heart sank to see our American raptor injured, so called for expert help. Assisting a trained person in wildlife and birds of prey, we were able to capture this bird without further injury to it or us.

The Eagle was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center for medical care. Many mornings as the sun starts to light up the blue sky, I have seen what is possibly her mate, soaring in our area looking for her. They mate for life, and he will search for her. My heart sank a second time thinking about the male eagle searching for her and his dedication and loyalty. The eagle is recovering well and will hopefully be soon released back into the wild. It has been an amazing experience to be a part of helping this eagle. I await for the day we can release her back so, "the Eagle can land" back to nature and with her family.

November may be the start of Winter, darker colder months. Snow on the ground now since mid-December and now into end of January with temperatures barely above freezing and chilling winds. But, it is the months to see many Eagles that return to our area, we are warmed with their presence.

"God created us with an overwhelming desire to soar. Our desire to develop and use every ounce of potential He's placed in us is not egotistical. He designed us to be tremendously productive and 'to mount up with wings like eagles,' realistically dreaming of what He can do with our potential."

-Carol Kent.