Eagles and Courting

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) officially landed in the Endangered Species category in 1967 and conservation recovery efforts now have them soaring in our semi-wilderness playground. We spent our July Fourth late afternoon in the boat, floating along the far shoreline, watching for nesting pairs. We found four juvenile eagles and saw two adult pairs.

These eaglets have not yet developed the coloring of their parents. Just learning to fly, land on perches and beginning to hunt for food. They will reach maturity and start looking for a mate at age four or five.


Romantically speaking - eagles mate for life. The one that is left after one in the pair bond dies will accept a new mate. An eagle's lifespan in the wild is about 30 years, so, lots of time for many children and grandchildren.


A whirlwind romance perhaps, an eagle will perform for a potential mate by flying and swooping and  cartwheeling. Skydiving anyone? The male and female will soar high in the air, lock talons and go into freefall together, pulling up at the last minute to soar again into the air. Humans don't fall in love quite  the same way, but activities that release neurotransmitters (those chemicals that send messages throughout the body) do help with bonding. Consider the thrill of seeing eagles soaring together, the romance of a tandem skydive, or climbing a rock-face. The limit is the imagination and sense of self-preservation.  


Not into extreme sports try: holding hands, going to a movie, window-shopping together just for fun, going out for a special meal, moderate exercises like running or skating, and taking bubble baths.

The Bald Eagle was removed from the federal listing in 2007. Efforts continue to preserve their habitat and nesting areas. 

Watching eagles soar, spending time together and learning from other species - ROMANTIC.

Watching Wildlife

Wildlife watching opportunities might be in your neighborhood. At the lakeside retreat we can watch birds any time of day -  loons, American Bald Eagles, osprey, Merganser ducks along with Downy Woodpeckers and Hairy Woodpeckers on the suet feeder. Hummingbirds love the garden and the feeder.

This chipmunk was very patient with me getting close enough to take pictures. Of course, a quick chirp made by my sweetheart who was sitting across the lawn sent the chipmunk scurrying to the safety of a maple tree about three feet away.

To share the experiences we often call to each other to "Come look!" We watch the animals almost as closely as we watched our children while they were growing up. I think we have a better handle on being amused now though.

If wildlife watching opportunities are limited in your area. Live web-cam watching on the internet is just as amazing. Check out either the Audubon Society or NatureWatch from the USDA Forest Service.

Keep in mind to be respectful and not interfere with the birds and animals you are watching. Observing and sharing ideas about wildlife and the environment improves communication and bonding between two people. And paying attention to each other is pretty important too.