BALD EAGLE
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge - Pacific City, Oregon
DID YOU KNOW?
Speedy Quick!
When a Bald Eagle dives, they can reach speeds up to 99 miles per hour! You don't want to be spotted as a Bald Eagles next meal, now do you? These birds have wingspans up to 8 feet.
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Seeing them fly against the cloudy skies is something of pure power and awe.
Don't Let Go
When an Eagle catches onto something, they will not let go. If this something is a large fish too heavy to carry to their wanted destination, they will swim it to shore!
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That's a well-versed animal right there (and I bet they have a pretty great butterfly stroke:)!
Old Nest, Deep History
The oldest nest on record was used by a Bald Eagle for 34 years. Eagles mate for life and share equal duties when it comes to parenting, gathering, and hunting - coming back to these homes they have created.
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They also hold the record for the largest nest - 13 feet deep and 8.2 feet wide! Imagine standing in that, being surrounded by all the bits and pieces that have been gathered for years and years!
Oh, How They Soar!
When an Eagle is flying, they soar through the "Cloud Streets" of the sky! These are created by thermal currents - a mixture of the warm sun and cold air causing certain wind patterns that Eagles and other birds take advantage of when flying.
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LIFT is used as the energy source to help conserve their own.
SPIRITUAL MEANING
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Protector, Honor, and Peace
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Sun Dance - A practice used by Native Americans; and the Eagle is used to symbolize connecting with the Divine, gaining higher knowledge, and enlightenment
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Contact between the Gods and Humans
UNIQUE
Most birds of prey, and birds in general, have impeccable eyesight. I wanted to highlight this innate skill through the Bald Eagle. These birds can see up to 3 miles aways - including the detail, size, and composition of what they are searching for. The Eagles can be perched high in the tree lines and still be able to see the color of your eyes - wait what?!