THE MAJESTIC BALD EAGLE

The mighty Bald Eagle spreads it’s wings,
It’s high pitched shrill loudly rings,
Soaring higher than ever before,
Searching the coast, up and down the shore.

The Bald Eagle you recognize on sight,
Head, neck and tail of white.
Body mottled but usually brown,
A majestic image, worthy of a crown.
His wingspan wide, six to eight feet,
He dives straight down his prey to greet.
Diving fast at 160 kilometers,
A diet - largely being fish eaters,
You see him mostly along the coast,
Scouting his meal from a nearby post.

The Eagle’s beak has a pointed hook,
To tear apart the prey that he took.
He grasps it in his talons strong,
Carrying his prey along,
Up to four pounds he can lift,
Taking it by surprise – so swift.

Several eagles are called a kettle,
In a thermal they now settle.
They choose a mate with which to pair,
And stay together, their life to share.
They build a nest – the largest yet,
And here they lay their eggs – a set.
Two a year is all they tend,
Upon their parents they depend.

The Bald Eagle does not sweat.
It holds out it’s wings to cooler get.
It uses the shade of a nearby shadow,
Or sometimes pants – this you may know.
They tolerate the cold much better,
Feathers and down just like a sweater.
The feet, mostly tendon, resist the cold,
The beak – nonliving, low blood supply I’m told.

These beautiful creatures,
With wonderful features,
Soar and roam around so free,
In the highest parts of the tree,
Or perched on rock or near the sea.
They are as magnificent as can be.
We can but watch them in their glory,
Watch and learn as they tell their story.

Poem by Sourcherry
Photographs from Pixabay