Terresa got a couple of great photos of this Bald Eagle. After it flew off the marker pole, it flew over to a fish hawk which was carrying a freshly caught fish and slammed into it, knocking the fish out of its grip and the fish fell all the way to the water less than fifty feet from the boat. The eagle then flew back to it’s perch on the marker pole showing no interest in the fish. Terresa said it was as if the eagle must have done it to show its power over the osprey.
Below is an excerpt from a letter Ben Franklin wrote his daughter about the Bald Eagle:
“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. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.”
Perched atop marker 5
Ben Franklin went on to tell his daughter that the Wild Turkey would have been a better choice as our National symbol:
“I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America . . . He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.”
After the fish hawk!
Hope you love history as much as we do and as always thanks for checking out the Captain’s Blog!
