Over a year ago, my mom came home from a gathering at a friend’s home greatly excited. On the road as they were driving to the party, Mom and her friends saw a bald eagle!
I hopped up and said “Let’s go!” In retrospect, there was some “luck” involved with the fact that I was able to witness a pair of eagles in the same spot she had seen them. They were right along the highway in kind of a weird spot—not where an experienced birder would expect to find them.
Over the past year, Mom and I have been very intentional to seek out eagles. And we have been amazed at how many we have seen. People have been helpful in our pursuits. They have told us where to find eagles’ nests. We have found 4 active eagles’ nests in 4 counties! Two of those nests have pairs that successfully hatched out two eaglets last year. We’re eagerly following nearby nest with a pair who are just now moving to the nest to hopefully lay an egg or two and hatch out eaglets.
We drive a lot. My work schedule allows for us to have extended hours to really look for birds. While out and about, we have seen thousands of Sandhills Cranes, a handful of Whooping Cranes, hawks galore, and I would say we have seen at least 2 dozen eagles. The 8 adults who are paired up who have nests we have seen. And an assortment of eaglets, young fledglings, young eagles, nearly adult eagles, and random adult bald eagles.
It’s been quite thrilling.
We know the eagles were nearly eliminated in Indiana. Farm chemicals, polluted waters, destroyed habitat all worked against them. They were reintroduced at locations around the state. A friend told me she saw what she thought was an eagle about 10 years ago, and when she told a conservation officer about it, he laughed at her and told her, “No way!”
Way! Her family now has a pair on her farm that probably has a nest nearby. I have seen them in flight around their farm!
The eagles have helped renew my faith in a Creator who made a world full of wonder. Just one class of birds (bald eagles) points out the infinite wonder of all that God created! I’m in awe.
And I am also amazed at the rich habitat God created for his birds. The wonderful, winding Muscatatuck River. The Sycamore trees that are beloved by the birds. The nearby farm fields full of other small creatures that might be lunch! Farm ponds flush with fish. Nearby Crosley with its ponds and marshes. I’m seeing life with NEW EYES. God’s still here. God is still active in creation/nature. Often, in spite of human involvement, life still flourishes and thrives.
Slow down and look around! God is all around us. He will be found if we actively seek Him! What are you looking for?
Thoughts From the Garden 