My, What Large Talons You Have!

An Bald Eagle’s grip is believed to be about 10 times stronger than the grip of an adult human hand and can exert upwards of 400 psi. At least that is what Ted, our private naturalist guide, told us on our eagle tour at Kentucky Lake. 

Why on earth were we roaming Land Between the Lakes in January looking for American Bald Eagles in the wild?  It comes down to one very special reason. 

This Boy

Binoculars clasped in hand three year old A says, "Shhh! Quiet! Eagles are over there".

  You see, it's his third birthday and he looooOoooves birds. He love birds in the same way that some children love Mickey Mouse and others love macaroni and cheese. He enjoys watching them from the window in Daddy's recliner, pointing them out from the car, and "shhhshing" everyone to be quiet when we are on a walk and a birdie is near.  Red, blue, gray, black, he loves them all.

A's tasty birthday hummingbird cake

His love for birds is an interesting development considering his mother is not the biggest fan of the germy, annoying, loud winged species, despite this, as a family we do our best to encourage each others passions. In fact, we've helped him start a small collection of Audubon plush birds, we're fond of this particular brand because the recorded calls are true the what you would listen for to identify a bird call in the wild.

"Hi, my name is... Talon"

 Strange but True Fact: While A was incubating in the womb my husband really wanted to name him Talon because it sounded "manly" but instead he wound up with a name that means manly. Now that he loves birds I kind of feel bad for vetoing that name choice. Eh, Not Really. 

Because of state car seat law requirements much to our surprise, we wound up getting our own private guide in a van that could accommodate our little people. The folks over at the nature center are are wonderful to families with little ones.

Just beyond this sign to the right of the shore, in a tree, sits..

...a 10 year old bald eagle nest that they return to every year.

   The eagles hang out along the tree line waiting for fish

Daddy and A observing  an Bald Eagle in the wild through a spotting scope

If your in the area and interested in viewing eagles it's not too late to sign up for a tour, they continue through February. The provide an educational lecture, transportation, scopes, and excellent certified naturalist tour guides. 

Unfortunately, my point and shoot camera isn't exactly the best for capturing eagles and I was only able to manage one close up  shot...

LOL, alright.. not a real eagle but an adorable Audobon plush, a gift for the birthday boy! 

The eagle has landed

Okay, ok..so here is our best shot of a REAL eagle perched in the tree. Look closely, can you see him?

Now can you see him?

 This full grown male is actually about 2ft tall perched on the tip of the tree. Birding is hard work, just like playing eye spy, and with patience and practice you can get good at it! Thankfully we could see him very clearly through the scope and we also found another eagle perched along the shore.

It certainly wasn't a standard Chuck E Cheese party but we sure did have fun celebrating A's birthday and learning between the lakes (despite being camera shy).

Courtesy Darrin Phegley Evansville Courier & Press

For better pictures of our local birds, check out this recent article in the Evansville Courier & Press. Darrin Phegley captured some beautiful images.