My First Bald Eagle

In May I joined the “Take A Walk Team” as an intern. I was very excited about what I was going to learn and the adventures I would go on with Jane and the rest of the team. Shortly after I started working, I went on my first Take A Walk adventure! The trip was to the Conowingo Dam in Maryland and we were going to observe a Bald Eagles nest that has been there for years. Jane brought her friend Kathy O’Connell (from Kids Corner Radio) and I brought my best friend Jenny Houseal. This trip was educational as well as fun. I learned so much just on the ride down there. If anyone knows Jane, they know she loves to teach other people about what she knows and is very good at doing so. We saw many different types of birds, trees, and flowers that Jane was delighted to teach us about. This is me on the left and Jenny on the right. 

 When we arrived at our destination I was absolutely amazed at what I saw. I knew a few things about Bald Eagles and about their nests but nothing compares to actually seeing it. It is without a doubt the biggest nest in the world! The nest was so big that you couldn’t even see the eagle in it, just the top of its head. One interesting fact that I learned that day is that a Bald Eagle nest can weigh up to as much as one ton! Can you believe it, one ton! That means a tree that can hold a Bald Eagle nest could easily hold a small a car (I’m just saying, that is pretty amazing). That tree is a buff hunk of wood. This is the Bald Eagle in his nest. It’s truly amazing.

  

While we were at the nest there were two photographers who informed us that about a mile down the road there was a Red-tailed Hawk nest. A Red-tailed Hawk has the most amazing call; just thinking about it gives me chills. The call of the Red-tailed Hawk is so amazing that it is sometimes used in scary movies when something bad is about to happen. You can check out the call by clicking here.  This was the best picture i could get of the Red-tailed Hawk because he was so high.

I’ve heard of this bird before but little did I know what effect it would have on me. Bird watchers have an expression called “king bird”. A “king bird” is sorta like a first kiss. The first kiss is the one that gets you interested in boys and a “king bird” is the bird that gets you interested in bird watching. The Red-tailed Hawk became my “king bird”.

I know this sounds crazy but adventures like this are part of my job. Yes, that was work, if you could even call it that. I have only been here a couple of months and already I’ve experience so many new things. I’m learning everyday and I love every minute of it!

Becky Prante

Intern

Comments

[Kathy O'Connell]

Becky, thanks so much for posting this! You captured the fun, education, and wonder of the whole trip beautifully. Aren't we lucky to have a friend like Jane Kirkland? And, of course, she's lucky to have friends like you and Jenny. Your enthusiasm for the trip is infectious.

[Olivia Prante]

Awwe Beck I'm so happy for you. You seem to really be taking advantage of the knowledge Jane has to teach. I am glad that you are embracing the opportunities you have to experience new things. It so cool that this is what you get to do for your job. Forget working in a grocery store, where do I sign up for a job like yours?! =)

[Denise Hansen]

Becky,
Welcome aboard! All I can tell you is TAW just keeps getting better and better!!!
Denise