Bald Eagle & Family

 

The Bald Eagle. Majestic Bird of Prey. Powerful Symbol. Doting Parent? 

Yes to all of the above.

The pictures in this blog were taken at the Bird Islands on the Northern Coast of Nova Scotia. These small islands are something of a haven for all manner of sea birds to breed, since they have no terrestrial predators on them. Of course this also makes the island perfect for birds of prey. Every year Bald Eagles take their juvenile offspring to these islands to teach them how to hunt. Sorry puffins.

I know you want to see that in .gif form, so click here. What an impressive sight!

Here you can see the adult and juvenile in one of the sea caves ringing the island, perhaps on the lookout for the next opportunity, or maybe just doing some parent-child bonding. Bald Eagle can't help but wonder what will become of their once close bond as his child gets older and seemingly more distant. And yet he sees in him such potential, feels such pride. It is a time of many confusing emotions. Also, his kid is a dumb idiot who doesn't know how to do anything, like all teenagers. Life is rough for Bald Eagle. Why else would he be losing his hair like that?

Bald Eagles, Adult

Bird Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Member of the Kites, Eagles, and Hawks family
★National Bird of the United States of America★
§A Jubilee of Eagles§

~true bird fact~ Not quite the brutally efficient hunters they might appear to be, the Bald Eagle is kind of a baby. He gets easily scared away by smaller birds, and your amateurnithologist witnessed him getting harassed by seagulls on this very expedition, which is not something you live down easily.  Furthermore, Bald Eagles often get their food more through cooperation with each other, or by harassing other raptors into dropping their newly caught prey. It is because of these characteristics that Benjamin Franklin did not want this bird to become our national symbol, famously preferring the Turkey. Here, have ye a quote "For my own part, I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. … Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District.”

A real neurotic. Second guesses everything

Channels frustration about home life into being a real dick at work

Uses political clout to get his kid out of trouble

Has Opinions about Taxes

 

Bald Eagle, Juvenile

Doesn't want to be like you, dad, GOD!

Wanderlust

Doesn't think about other people's feelings

Makes real efforts to be open to new experiences, but is secretly terrified

Actually pretty similar in character to his dad, deep down