The crisp chill of a winter morning is invigorating and enough to keep most of us inside staring out the window with a mug of hot coffee. Those of us with dogs, especially hearty winter breeds like my two Bernese Mountain Dogs, don’t have that luxury. Time to strap on the heavy jackets, gloves, and hats and brave the elements so our canine companions can be happy. I may not have been happy about it, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
SO
it was a few weeks ago when I was going for my morning trudge. We were coming around the clubhouse side of Sunset Lake when a massive shadow burst from the longleaf pines. It was big enough that my dogs took notice. I glanced skyward and was rewarded with an adult bald eagle flitting away.
I watched where it went and hurried home, sorry dogs, to get my wife—who constantly chides me for not taking my phone with me on walks. Turns out this time she was right. After convincing her I wasn’t crazy, we made it to the dam and were rewarded by watching the eagle swoop down to the water, snatch a fish, and proceed with enjoying a squishy breakfast on the water’s edge.
Now this wasn’t the first time I’d seen an eagle. They are everywhere in Alaska, common in the Rocky Mountains up along the Montana/Idaho border, and I’ve even seen them from time to time in Western New York, but having one so close to the house was a rare and unexpected treat.
Most North Carolinians know N.C. State University monitors and protects a series of bald eagle nests around Jordan Lake, but few know about this secret treasure in the heart of Holly Springs. Sunset Lake is home to at least two nests and it is not uncommon to find the regal birds swooping, soaring, and doing general eagle things on chilly, cloudless mornings.
These giant birds dominate their surroundings. A quick signal one might be overhead is the lack of any other bird in the immediate area. I’ve seen eagles here and there in our area. One was chasing a hawk with a snake in its claws down Cary Parkway. Another swooped down through our backyard. Travel down US-1 toward Sanford and there’s a good chance you’ll spot one sitting on his favorite branch overlooking the river. They are the only creature I feel comfortable stopping what I am doing and enjoying every single time I get the opportunity to see one.
Growing up in Western New York back in the 70s and 80s was a far different experience. The American bald eagle was a ghost. An almost imaginary image far too few saw in the wild. Once estimated with a population of well over 500,000 they had dwindled to only 412 mating pairs by the 1950s thanks in large part to rapid deforestation, trapping, hunting, and a nasty little pesticide called DDT. By 1967, the bald eagle was officially declared an endangered species and measures were emplaced to ensure population growth and recovery—with an emphasis on curtailing hunting and other illegal actions. The year 1982 was a low point for the bald eagle and our state. There were zero reported nesting pairs located within North Carolina. The future seemed grim.
Restoration measures gained popularity and became increasingly effective. By 1992, the bald eagle population was over 110,000 and growing. They were removed from the endangered species list in 1999. North Carolina is now home to at least 192 mating pairs and that number grows yearly. Expansion of habit has produced mating pairs in all 48 of the continental states as well as Canada, Mexico, and Alaska (which has the highest concentration in the world).
Natural sea birds, the symbol of our nation’s strength is distinctive with its bright yellow beak and pristine white head feathers. It takes roughly five to six years before their natural brown feathers turn white, signifying the full transition to adult. Even with their lengthy maturation stage, it is estimated that only one in ten hatchlings reaches adulthood. Bald eagles have a lifespan of around 20 years, with the oldest (wild) having lived to the ripe old age of 38.
They prefer dominating an area near water and the coastlines while enjoying the towering pines and other tall trees from which to survey their kingdoms and choose their next meal. Bald eagles have a diverse menu, from fish to herons, and small mammals. Preferring live prey, eagles are known to scavenge from time to time as long as there has been no human interaction with the corpse.
Bald eagles mate for life and move about as much as the average human, every five years or so. They have two to three eggs per mating, though it is rare for all three eggs to hatch. Juveniles stay in the nest for four months before the urge to branch out on their own and carve their individual paths in life. On the rarest of occasions, bald eagles have been recorded adopting other raptor fledglings.
While these birds are inspiring to watch, they have a deeper connection with this continent. The bald eagle has deep-rooted cultural significance to many Native American cultures. Their feathers have been revered by many Plains Indian tribes and the birds are considered spiritual messengers between gods and mortals. These beliefs resonated with the founding fathers, making it the perfect representation of what would become the United States of America. The bald eagle was adopted as our national bird by the Continental Congress in June 1782 and remains a symbol of strength, wisdom, and freedom—despite Benjamin Franklin advocating for the wild turkey to become our national symbol. Having so many eagles nested right here in Holly Springs is a gift of the purest form.
So, the next time you are wandering through this part of Holly Springs and have a little time on your hands, slow down and look up. You never know what you might find staring back at you.
