BY LESLIE REGO
The Founding Fathers chose the bald eagle as the emblem for the United States, but way before this declaration the eagle had already been highly revered within Native American traditions and culture.
I grew up in a period of United States history when the bald eagle was listed as endangered. In 1963, there were only 487 nesting pairs of bald eagles left due to habitat destruction, illegal shooting and the use of the pesticide DDT, which contaminated the birds’ food source. In 1967, DDT was banned. Shortly thereafter, the bald eagle made a remarkable recovery. On August 9, 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list.
I am always in awe when I see a bald eagle in the wild. The bird is powerful and gorgeous, but I think it is also because for so many years I believed the bird would become extinct. To see one fly right in front of me is a reverential sight. The eagle is a symbol of honesty, truth, majesty, strength, courage, wisdom and freedom. All of these incredible characteristics for one bird!
Imagine my disbelief when I saw a tree with five bald eagles perched on the branches. I had no idea they like to congregate together in the wintertime. A group of bald eagles is called a convocation. But they can also be referred to as an aerie of eagles, an army, or a congress. There have been as many as 50 bald eagles sited in one tree! But today I was thrilled to see five.
I first noticed dark bodies spotted throughout the tree. Then I detected the white heads and white tails. But I still thought my eyes were tricking me. I just could not believe they were all bald eagles, but what other bird could they possibly be? Next, I noticed the bright yellow beak and the pieces fell together that yes, indeed, I was witnessing a convocation of bald eagles.
They perched languidly in the tree. The light bounced off their heads and gleamed on their tails. The bodies were full, a dark rich umber in color. They appear magisterial, commanding the space between the branches. The air seemed to vibrate with their supreme power even though they demonstrated motion at rest. An inspiring sight, indeed.
Leslie Rego is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, artist and Blaine County resident. To view more of Rego’s art, visit leslierego.com.