Soar Like an Eagle

Years ago, Parky and I splurged on a cruise excursion in Alaska to see bears catching salmon. The only way to access the location was by hydroplane. The bears and salmon were plentiful and fascinating to watch – just like the photos you see. The bears didn’t care that we were nearby, gawking at their activities. What I didn’t anticipate were all of the bald eagles in the area. The eagles took advantage of half-eaten salmon the bears left behind.

Eagle Types and Characteristics

Eagles symbolize strength, resilience, and freedom. The United States adopted the bald eagle as its national bird in 1782 to enforce the ideology. (Thank goodness, we didn’t adopt Ben Franklin’s wild turkey proposal.) Mexico, Poland, and Egypt also have bald eagles as their national symbol.

Around 70 species of eagles are found worldwide, although most are familiar with the bald eagle. By the way, the term “bald” means “white-headed,” not hairless.

The four main groups of eagles are based on their habitat and hunting style:

• Snake eagles
• Fish eagles
• True eagles (e.g., booted, hawk, buzzard eagles characterized by feathers covering their legs down to their feet)
• Harpy eagles (also known as forest eagles; adapted to dense tropical forests)

The habitat for bald eagles is typically near large bodies of water. They build the largest nest of any bird species, often in tall trees. Bald eagles usually mate for life and return to the same nest year after year. Nests can be up to 13 feet deep and weigh over 2,200 pounds. Trees have been known to fall due to the weight of an eagle nest!

Eagles can soar hundreds of miles in a day with their 6-8 foot wingspan. They can reach up to 150 mph during dives.

Eagles face few natural enemies thanks to their size, power, and sharp eyesight (8-10 times that of humans). They have a natural zoom lens enabling them to spot a glistening fish from two miles away! Their strong talons exert over 400 pounds of force per square inch. Their robust immune systems and efficient metabolisms contribute to their 20-30 year lifespan.  

The Use of Eagles in the Bible

The Bible mentions eagles at least 40 times. Swift, swooping, soaring, unafraid, and powerful are adjectives used. In Deuteronomy 32, God compares Himself to an eagle when speaking of the Israelites: “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions.” In Exodus 19:4, God reminds the Israelites how He bore them on eagles’ wings when the Egyptians pursued them.

Eagles have been described as “solitary sovereigns with an ‘air of authority and unchallenged control.’” Just like the eagle rises above the storm clouds, believers are inspired to rise above challenges with their faith. No wonder the Bible references eagles so many times.

Bird Watching

Over the past couple of years, I have tuned in to two eagles named Shadow and Jackie. They are devoted to one another and maintain residency in Big Bear Valley, California. Their elaborate stick nest is high in a tree overlooking a postcard view of the lake. A live Eagle Cam keeps viewers abreast of the latest happenings https://www.discoverbigbearlake.com/things-to-do/discover-wildlife/eagles/watch-live-big-bear-eagle-cam.

I watched two eggs hatch last year, unveiling Sunny and Gizmo. This year, the world watched when two eggs in the nest were seen, then lost the next day to predators, I think. Sadly, only 50% of eaglets survive into adulthood. The next month, Jackie laid two more eggs that hatched in April, one on Easter Sunday. Everyone is anticipating their names on May 1.

Shadow and Jackie have fended off ravens and owls and guarded against the weather. Winds can get fierce, and snow can be relentless. At one point, Jackie was covered in snow while sitting on her eggs, refusing to shake it off. I feel sorry for these eagle parents, at times, watching them sacrifice for their eaglets. Shadow is a reliable hunter, catching as many as seven fish in one day for the family.

Viewers watched the eggs during incubation; we cringed when they were left unattended; we grimaced when a snake slithered across the nest; and we laughed at the curious flying squirrel. It is satisfying to watch Jackie beak-feed the eaglets bits of fish. We watched in horror when she purposefully swallowed a fishing line and sinker to prevent it from entangling the “kids.” I am not very tolerant of the “bonking” that eaglets do, causing one of them to lose a significant amount of feathers. I was glad to learn that sibling bonking is a necessary part of development.

The behavior and majestic beauty of these eagles remind me of God’s sacrificial love, His protective care, divine authority, and enduring strength. Let’s model the qualities of the eagle relying upon God’s guidance, timing, and sovereignty.