Eagle Watch—Day One

Last Thursday was my first day of Bald Eagle observation for the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. I expected a typical day, in which I would see an adult eagle (or maybe two) perched in the old Cottonwood overseeing the surrounding fields. While it’s a privilege to see any Bald Eagle, when you’re keeping vigil for two hours, you want something to happen. “Something,” of course, is all perception, because I know I am witnessing them do the most important thing they do—analyze their surroundings for prey. The more acute their observation, the more precise their hunting and the less energy expended getting the next meal. Still, from a human perspective, I perceive this as doing nothing, and I sometimes spend my time impatiently watching for two hours while they patiently survey the environs, training their eagle eyes on what is invisible to me, all without moving from the tree’s gnarly branches.

Predictably, one eagle perched in the nesting tree. An hour later, it still perched in that exact spot. But, then, my boredom was alleviated in a dramatic fashion when a second eagle swept in and landed on top of the first. They copulated. The eagles are on schedule, with eggs most likely appearing close to Valentine’s Day. Next time I go out, I can expect to see one of the eagles, either one, on the nest—males and females share nesting duties.

The inception of new life in this setting is exciting. The act may result in one hatchling or two, and, if everything goes well, an eventual fledging. I don’t know what will happen, but this was the true beginning of the season. The moment of intrigue ended quickly, though, and the eagles perched for the next hour, and probably far beyond when I disassembled my tripod and scope and put away my data sheets.