Full Version: The Eagle has landed!
Really good article in today's LA Times about a pair of young Bald eaglets born recently in Southern California. I'll include the link to it here, but the site does normally require registration (which is free).
What makes this extra special is that these two young birds are the first Bald Eagles confirmed born in Southern California since the 1930's and this may be an indication that they are making a comeback here. As y'all can probably tell from my avatar, these particular creatures are quite special to me, and it thrills me to no end that they are returning.
Southern California has been quite successful recently in the area of returning our magnificant raptors to the wild. The California Condor captive breeding programs at the LA and San Diego zoos have resulted in returning a few breeding pairs to our mountains around Santa Barbara of a species, the largest North American bird by the way, that would most certainly have gone extinct. I find it interesting that the US Government had to win a court battle to initiate the captive breeding program against of all people, environmental groups like the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society. I can only hope that these groups are now very happy that they lost those lawsuits.
Actually, they didn't lose at all, we ALL won.
What makes this extra special is that these two young birds are the first Bald Eagles confirmed born in Southern California since the 1930's and this may be an indication that they are making a comeback here. As y'all can probably tell from my avatar, these particular creatures are quite special to me, and it thrills me to no end that they are returning.
Southern California has been quite successful recently in the area of returning our magnificant raptors to the wild. The California Condor captive breeding programs at the LA and San Diego zoos have resulted in returning a few breeding pairs to our mountains around Santa Barbara of a species, the largest North American bird by the way, that would most certainly have gone extinct. I find it interesting that the US Government had to win a court battle to initiate the captive breeding program against of all people, environmental groups like the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society. I can only hope that these groups are now very happy that they lost those lawsuits.
Actually, they didn't lose at all, we ALL won.
Aquilla, if you like bald eagles, you should come visit Neah Bay. Bald eagles are more than a daily occurance here; they are almost a constant. There is often one perched in the tree above the little coffee shack, they are often seen flying low overhead. I have gotten some excellent pictures, and have seen some from as close as 20 feet! Magnificent creatures, indeed. I have identified four nests near town, and I know there are many more than that. A few days ago, I saw one successfully dive and catch a fish - I was livid that I did not have my camera at the ready!
Aquilla,
The American Bald Eagle is well and in abundance here in Alaska. In fact, we have to watch our outdoor domestic cats, because eagles will take them, not without a fight, but an eagles wing span here can be about 4 ft. and many housecats are taken. Around Homer and Seward or on the inner passage, (southeast AK) you can watch eagles, there are so many, and if on the islands, when one single eagle is flying towards a flock of island bearing birds, all take flight and fight to keep their young and eggs safe. I have seen this.
Its good that Southern Cal now has its own pair. Hopefully they will survive there. Come to Alaska, Ill give you a tour that will Blow Your Mind, as far as wildlife.
The American Bald Eagle is well and in abundance here in Alaska. In fact, we have to watch our outdoor domestic cats, because eagles will take them, not without a fight, but an eagles wing span here can be about 4 ft. and many housecats are taken. Around Homer and Seward or on the inner passage, (southeast AK) you can watch eagles, there are so many, and if on the islands, when one single eagle is flying towards a flock of island bearing birds, all take flight and fight to keep their young and eggs safe. I have seen this.
Its good that Southern Cal now has its own pair. Hopefully they will survive there. Come to Alaska, Ill give you a tour that will Blow Your Mind, as far as wildlife.
I think it's really ancouraging that large birds of prey are making comebacks in much of the developing world. Here in the UK, the golden eagle was on the brink of extinction 30 years ago, but there is now a large-ish and stable population in Scotland. Similarly, the osprey is now increasing in range and numbers, and even the white tailed sea eagle is back (it was extinct here for many years and was reintroduced from Scandinavia).
Of course, as your national emblem, the bald eagle will have special significance for you. But I think that generally it says good things about the modern commitments to conservation and reducing pollution that such birds are back from the brink.
If we can just get the same kind of commitment to rare birds and mammals in other parts of the world...
For example, the last few Indian tiger reserves are now at risk from illegal mining for talc, which is being bought by legitimate western concerns like Unilever and Johnson & Johnson for their toiletries and cosmetics, for no other reason than price.
Of course, as your national emblem, the bald eagle will have special significance for you. But I think that generally it says good things about the modern commitments to conservation and reducing pollution that such birds are back from the brink.
If we can just get the same kind of commitment to rare birds and mammals in other parts of the world...
For example, the last few Indian tiger reserves are now at risk from illegal mining for talc, which is being bought by legitimate western concerns like Unilever and Johnson & Johnson for their toiletries and cosmetics, for no other reason than price.
Quark, I've been to Neah Bay. My dad was born in a little town called South Bend just down the coast from there. You are right about the Bald Eagles there, they are truly magnificant! That's the only place I've ever seen them in the wild.
Artemise, I'd love to take you up on your Alaskan wildlife tour offer, but I might not want to leave your beautiful state! I grew up watching Golden Eagles and hawks soaring over the canyons of Colorado and to see a Bald Eagle in Alaska would blow my mind!
Julian, I'm glad to hear that the UK is having success at preserving your birds of prey as well. They are a wonderful resource that we owe to our children and grand-children to preserve. Some of the birds of prey have actually adapted quite well to civilization, I've heard stories of Peregrine Falcons, for example, nesting on the ledges of tall buildings in the middle of a large city. When I worked at a Lockheed facility north of Los Angeles, we had a pair that nested somewhere around there. You always knew when they were flying because everyone took a break from their offices and went outside to watch. LOL!!! I once cancelled a staff meeting so we could do that.
I mentioned the California Condor captive breeding program in my earlier post and here's a link to a US Fish and Wildlife web page that details a little bit on how it's going. This has been a highly successful program and maybe it can serve as a model for future programs to preserve our national treasures.
Artemise, I'd love to take you up on your Alaskan wildlife tour offer, but I might not want to leave your beautiful state! I grew up watching Golden Eagles and hawks soaring over the canyons of Colorado and to see a Bald Eagle in Alaska would blow my mind!
Julian, I'm glad to hear that the UK is having success at preserving your birds of prey as well. They are a wonderful resource that we owe to our children and grand-children to preserve. Some of the birds of prey have actually adapted quite well to civilization, I've heard stories of Peregrine Falcons, for example, nesting on the ledges of tall buildings in the middle of a large city. When I worked at a Lockheed facility north of Los Angeles, we had a pair that nested somewhere around there. You always knew when they were flying because everyone took a break from their offices and went outside to watch. LOL!!! I once cancelled a staff meeting so we could do that.
I mentioned the California Condor captive breeding program in my earlier post and here's a link to a US Fish and Wildlife web page that details a little bit on how it's going. This has been a highly successful program and maybe it can serve as a model for future programs to preserve our national treasures.
QUOTE
Some of the birds of prey have actually adapted quite well to civilization, I've heard stories of Peregrine Falcons, for example, nesting on the ledges of tall buildings in the middle of a large city. When I worked at a Lockheed facility north of Los Angeles, we had a pair that nested somewhere around there. You always knew when they were flying because everyone took a break from their offices and went outside to watch. LOL!!! I once cancelled a staff meeting so we could do that.
Yes, that happens here too - since the use of DDT was banned, and hunting them was too (the big grouse shoots on country estates didn't like them as they preyed on their "crop"), peregrines are recovering nicely. As well as their relative safety from predation in cities, some try to actively encourage them to come in as they then eat the feral pigeons that are some common in places like London.
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