Bald Eagle is back in USA
 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19461134/

What a beautiful creature!:sunny:

Eventhough, I do believe the US would have learned better lessons with the Turkey as it's national bird.:D

The Turkey is the guest of honer at the table every November and it still isn't faceing exstinction. :D

Ben Franklin wanted the turkey as the national bird.

These things are all over the place in the PNW. Several live even in downtown Kirkland, right in the middle of all the traffic and people.

I think this is more a case of adaptation than anything else. These eagles have learned to adapt to human expansion and to live side by side with us.

I do notice though, the crows seem to always dislike them. Constantly dive bombing them day in and day out - all day long. If I were an eagle, I think I'd bite a leg or two off of one of those crows!

-S

PS. They are the best fisherman, or should I say fisher thing out there too. ANytime they get hungry, they just go effortlessly pick up a fish nearby.

I know what you mean about those crows. They are really brave, and will go after any large predatory bird: eagles, hawks, etc.

I started seeing them in the midwest about 10 years ago, and now regularly see them in western Maryland, West Virgninia. Back in the day, you NEVER saw a bald eagle in the heartland or mid-atlantic. At least I never did.

A hen harrier took 3 of my young chickens last year.
Beautiful bird, but most annoying!
http://www.toothandclaw.org.uk/uploa...arrier1005.jpg

I celebrate Ben's wish every year. :D

For you ignorant foreigners who don't know no better :D, here's what Ben Franklin really said about it . I bolded the part I particularly like.

"For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.
"With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country . . .


"I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America . . . He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

That is great information. It's one of those things you learn in elementary school and never think about where it comes from. As a turkey hunter, I had always thought he was talking about wild turkies. I think the turkey is one of the most difficult animals to hunt. You can stalk a deer, but you can't stalk a turkey.