My First Eagle Sighting by Gary Cuckler © 1993 The Gobbler: Spring Bud The records we humans call history are filled with stories, myths, legends, and tall tales involving eagles. To the Romans, the eagle was a symbol of strength; to the Native Americans, a spirit being, though real and visible, of wisdom, freedom, and vision; to Hitler, an emblem of superiority (through no fault of the eagle); to the ornithologist, the eagle is 'haliaectus leucicephalus'; but to the first-time viewer, the eagle is majestic and awe inspiring. I stood around with my mourh open for a while, staring at the first bald eagle I've seen in my life. On January 23, 1993, my friend Cindy and I joined a group of people from the Jamestown Audubon Society, and together, we drove to Warren, PA, then across 59 east toward the Kinzua Dam. We spotted the eagles about 11 A.M. that day, and, for the first time, I witnessed the graceful yet patient spirit of the sky. I stood directly across the river from this semi-mystical bird and watched him as he silently scanned the chilled waters of the Allegheny. He watched for fish. I watched him. Although they are making a comeback, the eagle is still an endangered species, partly due to its feeding habits. Since it dines on dead and dying fish, any toxins that leach into the earth will ultimately find their way into the water sources and into the fish. It's little wonder that the eagle population was drastically depleted during the years that DDT was used with such reckless abandon. John James Audubon would not consider shooting an eagle today to study it, as was the practice when he wrote that a man could shoot "five bald eagles within 24 hours." As I watched this royal member of the hawk family, I pondered his future and that of his species. How many are going to survive the poachers this year? The burning and cutting of old growth forests in the northwest--how will that affect the eagle population? There are lots of "ifs" about life on this planet, but people, in general, are more aware these days. Go see the eagles, if you get the chance. According to the Peterson Guide, this area of western New York is a localized breeding area for bald eagles. In that, I hope our luck holds and the eagles multiply. I also hope the day will arrive when the eagles' only threat will be Mother Nature's sense of balance and that the eagle will again become a common sight, but never common place. Story Index