https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/240090797
When going out for a walk to look at the different plants and animals around I ended up running into this bald eagle down by the science building here in Juneau. They tend to hang out at the estuary where Auke Creek runs into Auke Bay. They like to hang out down there especially during this time of year because of the salmon returning to spawn in the creek. So they have been hanging out in the area to wait and hunt for fish. Even though they like to hang out down there most of the time, they are not always visible, they tend to be hiding inside the trees. This photo is not the best, but I didn’t want to get too close to disturb the eagle.
Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are found throughout North America and are more abundant in Alaska than anywhere else in the US. They are admired for their beauty and their importance in their ecosystems as scavengers and predators, but humans pose as one of the biggest threat to their population due to our habitat destruction, poaching, and pesticide use (“Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Species Profile”). Due to our impacts on their population, they are federally protected under the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1962 (“WILDLIFE SPECIES: Haliaeetus leucocephalus”).
Eagles are also “highly revered and considered sacred” for many indigenous traditions, culture, and religion. They are said to be “honored with great care and shown the deepest respect. They represent honesty, truth, majesty, strength, courage, wisdom, power and freedom” (“Golden Eagle as a Symbol”). It can also be known as the “master of the skies”, and it is believed to be the creature with the closest relationship to the creator. Due to the eagles “Soaring to great heights, he can travel between the physical and the spiritual world. He is said to be a messenger to the creator” (“The Eagle Indigenous Symbol”).
Sources:
- “Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus) Species Profile.” Bald Eagle, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=baldeagle.main. Accessed 5 Sept. 2024.
- “The Eagle Indigenous Symbol: Spirits of the West Coast.” Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery Inc, spiritsofthewestcoast.com/collections/the-eagle-symbol?srsltid=AfmBOoqaFPbSHz2nl__kozHti-i0FWCdViB9DsHd7paY8yLwDrEaGapw. Accessed 5 Sept. 2024.
- “Golden Eagle as a Symbol.” American Eagle Foundation, eagles.org/what-we-do/educate/learn-about-eagles/golden-eagle-as-a-national-symbol/#:~:text=Both%20Bald%20and%20Golden%20Eagles,%2C%20wisdom%2C%20power%20and%20freedom. Accessed 5 Sept. 2024.
- “WILDLIFE SPECIES: Haliaeetus Leucocephalus.” Haliaeetus Leucocephalus, USDA, www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/animals/bird/hale/all.html#:~:text=ABBREVIATION%20%3A%20HALE%20COMMON%20NAMES%20%3A%20bald,leucocephalus%20and%20Haliaeetus%20leucocephalus%20ssp. Accessed 5 Sept. 2024.
Comments
Hey Halle,
I really like how you laid out this post. I appreciate you giving your observation of where and why the Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are where they are. I also liked that you mentioned you didn't get the best photos (even though I believe that they are great) because you didn't want to disturb them. Which is something I believe not enough people do. I also liked that you mentioned you did this because in one of the source's that you used they say that humans pose as one of the biggest threats to their population. I also love how you found a source that talks about how and why Bald Eagles are considered as scared in many Indigenous traditions.
I was drawn to your post because bald eagles are definitely my favorite animal because how beautiful they are, I always get excited to see them when I'm out and about in Juneau. I thought it was interesting that humans were the biggest threat to their population, I didn't know that. Eagles are definitely highly respected in the Lingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures so it seems kind of weird to me that humans are their biggest threat, however, its also not that surprising to me. Part of me does wish you included the Lingit name and a little more information about how prominent they are in the culture but overall I enjoyed reading your post!
Great picture and journal, it can be hard to get a good look at these birds sometimes and I can never seem to get a good look at these guys unless it's in a dumpster or near some sort of trash. I always forget that this species wasn't as abundant as it is now, they are kind of everywhere near my parent's home, so much so that we have to keep a close eye on our smaller pets! I mostly see the bald eagle as an every day bird, not so much a pest but just around, but I had forgotten how important they are to other people and cultures.
Thanks for writing out a great description of the Eagle and its scenery. It paints a great picture. We're very blessed to be around such magnificent birds. They're absolutely stellar! I enjoy how they're protected as well and the feathers when found can be donated to an organization to help make clothing for indigenous groups. I was once on a trip with my students at the beach and a Bald Eagle came crashing down after hitting a tree. I called the raptor center, and I assisted a woman who arrived to capture the Eagle with a blanket. Once wrapped up I carried it up the trail. Such a cool experience feeling the power and sound of an Eagle in my arms. Fortunately for the Eagle it lived and was moved to the Sitka Raptor Center. Thanks for sharing!
Nice work, Halle, on your first Journal entry! You did a great job of weaving together your personal experience with your observation, and drawing in data you got from outside sources. Nicely done!
Also, like others in our class, you seem to have a solid grasp of giving credit to your sources, which puts you ahead of the game when it comes to MLA Format. Starting Week 4 we will be learning about MLA Format and everyone will be required to use a particular website to check our work for correct formatting. This will be for everything from in-text citations for quotes and paraphrases, to entries in a Works Cited list. Your knowledge of giving formal credit to sources is a wonderful advantage, but can also be a slight disadvantage in that sometimes students are familiar with a different formatting standard (APA, for example), or even an older version of MLA Format, which they then -- incorrectly -- use for our class. It will be important to get comfortable using the website we learn about in Week 4 to check your work until you get the hang of MLA Format. In the meantime, great job giving credit to sources!
Also, that's quite the story, Fisher! I never think of a bald eagle hitting a tree -- what a thing to experience!
And, Markayla, would you like to share with us the Tlingit name for eagle, if you happen to know it? Or anyone else in our class? One source you all may want to check out is XL Twitchell's Tlingit Language page which includes a living dictionary! Here is the website: https://tlingitlanguage.com/
Best,
Professor Brooke
As someone who works within downtown Juneau for tourism, I see a lot of eagles everyday, specifically at AJ dock. Eagles tend to keep to themselves, not disturbing anyone around. Often I see them in the sky doing circles until they choose to land on a small tower watching over the land. So I can definitely see how it can seem like they have the closest relationship to the creator like you mention. Many of the guests will take pictures and are careful to not disturb them. There have even been times when I have seen them carry fish with them across the sky. They are very strong birds.
Add a Comment