Friday, February 27, 2009

Nearsighted Eagle? Or just Inept?


Retired people have too much time on their hands and shouldn't be allowed to near computers while armed with email address books. They send me waay too many things to read, look at, or respond to. I'm already jealous of their freedom. Why rub it in?


When I overcome my curmudgeonly reaction, however, sometimes I see really amazing stuff. Like the series of pictures of an eagle purportedly attacking a swan in mid air, supposedly taken by a Tom Carver of B.C., Canada.

The photos show a swan flying, then an eagle approaching from behind and grabbing its leg. They struggle, the swan gets away, and falls down into the water, apparently unhurt.

I saw a pair of mating eagles a couple of years ago over Lake Washington. They fly high into the sky, grab each others' talons, and tumble down to the water in an apparent death spiral. I don't think you could see it without having your heart in your mouth. They pull up at the last minute and do it again. If Tom Carver lives in British Columbia, he must have seen this at least once.

I can't help but wonder: was this eagle really an inept hunter trying to catch a meal in the air--or was he just a nearsighted, would-be lover?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This type of behavior must be stopped now. The American bald eagle is the most majestic bird and the most powerful symbol in the world today. Crossbreeding of this magnificent icon simply cannot be allowed. Can you imagine what our beloved eagle would look like in just a couple of generations if this activity were to continue? Long-necked, yellow-eyed, taloned honkers with an appetite for fish, vermin, and rye grass. Who could take us seriously then? Also, we have to change its name to the American Bald Sweagle. Let's stop this now and save the embarrassment.

Bemused Boomer said...

You're right, of course. I hadn't thought of the long-term implications. That said, which one of us is going to tell the eagle?