Where Eagles Fly

Have you ever seen an eagle fairly up close? It is breath-taking. They are regal, majestic birds. I see their sleek power, and I understand the forefathers' wisdom in choosing them as our national emblem.

When I came home from church this afternoon, this young eagle was perched in the top of my walnut tree in the backyard. (Their heads and tails don't turn white, and their beaks don't turn yellow until they are about five years old.)


This young fella wasn't very happy about me edging closer and closer to him. To be honest, I was a little nervous as well. I pulled my hood over my head and hoped he wouldn't get too upset with me. (Look at that beak and those claws... I am sure you wouldn't want an eagle mad at you if you were standing under him as well!) Unfortunately, I still had my camera on my indoor settings, but wild animals won't wait for me to adjust settings, so I just shot and hoped I would get at least one or two good shots.

When he had enough of me admiring him, he spread those magnificent wings (which barely fit in my viewfinder)...


and flew away towards the pasture behind us...

where a fully mature bald eagle was soaring over the ponds, probably looking for food,

and another mature eagle was soaring even higher above above a flock of geese.


If I had to make a list of all the things I love the best about the Ozarks, I have to say that having eagles playing in my backyard ranks right up there at the top of the list.