By Karen, Casco Bay Island
Posted Monday, September 26, 2005

The Eagles of Casco Bay Island
Blessed to share our little island with nesting American Bald Eagles, we enjoy the privilege of wathcing the eagles soar.

We wake up many mornings to the sounds of eagles. They seem to "talk" to each other with their distinctive throaty cries often leaving us wondering what they're talking about. We've observed them greeting each other as they fly home to the nests in the woods; we've seen them cry out from nearby tree tops... telling others of coming fish perhaps? On windy mornings, we can lie in bed and watch them soar by filling our window with one, two, three.. up to six of these incredible birds at one time. What an awesome way to start a new day.

Every morning that the weather permits our morning routine takes us out on the deck. These chilly fall days means adding sweaters and afghans to the usual hat, sunglasses, binocular, camera... and of course a tab for Mike and a diet coke for me. We're always excited to see what is happening on the Head Harbor passage and Ralph is always happy that it's family time on the deck.

We all sit in the sun, enjoying the warmth, listening and watching.. The sounds of the river guide us more than our eyes. We hear the soft rhythmic whoosh of the porpoise, the sneezy cough of the seals as they surface, the flutter of fish in the water, and of course, the cries of the eagles. We all turn and look, following the sounds... even Ralph is quite expert at spotting the resident wild life. Morning after morning we watch, and never grow tired of watching the river go out with the falling tide and in with the rising tide bringing porpoise jumping in pursuit of the herring or a big splash of a predatory tuna. The sleek seals around the rock are always entertaining, and even the quiet quacking of the black and white ducks floating by mesmerize us.

But the aerial ballet of the eagles is absolutely breathtaking. There seem to be six eagles who call Casco Bay home right now.. Perhaps it's two families.. four white headed parents, mated for life, and two speckled juveniles. It's hard to count as we rarely see them all at one moment and can never be sure we've counted them all.

It's that time of the year, these last days of summer, when the "kids" must become proficient hunters before they leave the nesting area where their parents help keep them fed and go off on their own. We see them perched on nearby treetops watching the river for signs of fish before they swoop off of their pine tree platforms circle down, talons extended, hoping to snag a careless fish swimming too near the surface. They rarely succeed.. but when they head back into the trees toward the nest they are almost always greeted with those piercing eagle cries. Is it mom or dad cheering them on or chiding them for the missed meal?

They're all business while the winds are calm, the river is glassy, and the fish are plentiful. What energy it must take for attempt after attempt to catch a fish and hone their skills. Today I found out that the hunt succeeds only about one in eighteen attempts! So much effort expended to keep their large bodies fueled.

Once the winds come up however, it seems as though the business of hunting is put aside for the sheer joy of floating on the currents. When the wind is up you can see them all soaring high, seemingly exerting no effort at all, just gliding, wing tips up for stability and control. They swoop and play.. two at a time.. three four.. all six floating, gliding higher and higher. Amazing!

This season they seem to be less afraid of us. They swoop closer to the deck where we sit than they have in other years. So close that we hear the sound of their powerful wings. They sit longer in nearby trees, unconcerned that we watch them. They scoff at Ralph, when he barks his objections when they perch on a tree too close to HIS territory.

I can understand why this majestic bird was chosen as the symbol of our country. Strong, powerful, beautiful... social, committed, fun loving, if I can attribute that oh so human characteristic to these creatures. We are blessed to share this magical island with these magnificent creations that give us just a glimpse of the might of the creator.

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30-31

Click the eagle thumbnail on the gallery interface on our HOMEPAGE to view a few photos of the eagles of Casco Bay.

If you're interested in learning more about American Bald Eagles try this link to BaldEagleInfo.com.

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