Given the significance of today’s date, it seems only fitting to share this striking image of our national emblem.

Twenty-one years ago today, our nation suffered a tragedy at the hands of terrorists. Those evil men thought they could inflict real harm to this great nation.

Yes, we may have stumbled, but we never fell – and we never will. All they did was solidify our resolve and reinforce that while We the People have our differences among each other, when we stand together, we are unstoppable against any force.

Like the bald eagle, we have an indomitable spirit and the capability to react with unimaginable ferociousness, as the terrorists and their supporters learned soon after. May God continue to bless the United States of America.

Just a simple, beautiful bird for Freedom Friday.

Right now is kind of a slow time for my favorite raptors. The resident eagles have fledged their young and spread out and the seasonal eagles have yet to return. So, going back to February for this capture.

Taken not far from where I live when a thawing pond had drawn the attention of many of the winter visitors and they were enjoying a bevy of fish. On patrol, this one gave me a great flyby in near-perfect late afternoon light. The sun lit up the plumage of the eagle just beautifully and those blue skies, well, that’s Colorado! 

This is not something bald eagles will usually do – hanging out on the ground and near a busy road. However, the young ones haven’t learned their lessons entirely yet and sometimes are not practiced on when they need to be cautious.

This recently fledged eagle was less than a half mile from the nest it grew up in. It has probably only been six weeks or so since it took its first flight and now the young one is starting to explore the world on its own.

A piece of cardboard seemed to hold its fascination initially, then it took a short flight and just walked around.

Kind of a fun encounter and while this one is four or five years away from getting the white head bald eagles are known for, it was still absolutely beautiful.

I learned last week that a good, online friend, had suddenly passed away. She was only a few days younger than I so it comes as quite a shock.

I only knew Stacy online, initially via mutual friends and our shared love for God and country. While we did not always agree, we had a mutual respect for each other’s views and our discussions were some of the most thought-provoking and challenging I have ever engaged in.

Stacy and I also shared the love of bald eagles and, in particular, one specific pair of them. She was one of the few people that knew the location of my favorite nest, having discovered it on her own not long after I did years ago.

When she moved to southern Colorado she missed seeing them regularly and closely watched for me to share pictures of them. When I did, she would invariably ask, “Are those ‘my’ eagles?” She’d talk about how much she loved watching them, how excited she was when they successfully fledged their offspring and shared the sadness at their losses.

Today, Stacy will be laid to rest and many tears will be shed for her by her husband, sons and family and friends. I know that my future visits to the nest won’t be made without thinking of her heavily.

“…those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” ~Isaiah 40:31

Yes, Stacy, these are YOUR eagles. May you rest in peace and forever soar on wings like eagles.

So close to a shot I have been dreaming of and close enough that I have been sitting on this image for almost four months. Taken back at the start of March when a bunch of bald eagles enjoyed a feast of fish at a local pond, I caught this image of one as it set itself up for a dive and went by our great nation’s flag in the background.

In my mind I envision someday getting THE shot with the action closer, a clear background, great light and of course the eagle and flag. This didn’t meet my vision but it comes pretty close and is most fitting to share as we prepare to celebrate our nation’s independence.

246 years ago, men and woman across the political and social spectrum set aside their differences, came together, fought together, and gave birth to this Great Nation. They gave us an incredible gift, indeed a gift to the world. The spark of freedom that was born that day grew to become a bright, shining beacon, an example for all and a privilege for those of us blessed to live in this country.

Certainly, our nation has been going through some troubled times and it can be disheartening and difficult to see. I wish sometimes we would step back, take a deep breath, and realize that, as John F. Kennedy said, “What unites us is far greater than what divides us.”

Neither this nation nor this image are perfect. However, We The People need to work together, just as our forefathers did, toward a more perfect union and I will continue to work on getting that shot.

Well, given the auspicious occasion, what other animal did you expect me to share today? As you all well know, bald eagles are my favorite, bar none.

I have long had a fascination with them, probably because growing up they were such a rarity. When I served this Great Nation in the United States Navy, the eagle took on additional meaning as I proudly wore an eagle on my sleeve for the majority of my service and indeed, the regal creature is a prominent part of the service’s flag, for good reason.

Our national emblem embodies the spirit of the country – indomitable, proud, majestic, beautiful and fierce. So many adjectives that describe the bald eagle fit for our nation. I have taken tens of thousands of pictures of them and each and every opportunity is something special, something I cherish.

While I have been observing this pair of bald eagles for six years now, it is pretty are that I have been able to get pics of the two of them perched together. It seems like at least one is always on the move or they perch just a bit too far away to get a nice shot of them together.

On this recent day though, the pair spent some quality time at the nest, enjoying the mild spring morning and keeping an eye on their not-so-little eaglet. They gave me some nice, typical, regal bald eagle type shots but I liked this one when the pair looked at each other in a bit of a “moment.”

Have a fantastic weekend!

Keeping it simple as we head into the weekend with this beautiful lady.

I’ve shot thousands (tens of thousands?) of pictures of her over the years and each time is just a thrill. Taken a few weeks ago, she put on an impressive showcase of beauty and grace.

The wind was blowing a bit and she used it to her advantage, going head on into it and lazily flapping her wings as she ascended. In doing so, she gave me a great series of images including this one as she banked toward the sun, lighting up her eye brilliantly. Have a great weekend!

With his not-so-little eaglet getting close to fledging, keeping it fed is a big priority for the adult bald eagles at this nest. Last Saturday, the male departed for a little while and when he returned, he had a nice sized carp in its talons.

Here, he is seen circling before landing in the nest and depositing the meal. The voracious young one was most appreciative, eating quite a bit of it and then mom jumped in for some leftovers.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to visit them again for a few weeks and I am sure by then the juvenile will have fledged. This is the sixth season I have spent watching these incredible creatures at this nest and I count myself fortunate to do so.