New Beginnings
For many people, the turning of the year is a time for new beginnings. They think about the previous trip around our sun and what they would like to change for the next one. It is also shortly after the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, the time when the days are at their shortest. Perhaps the ‘rebirth’ and return of the sun gets people in a reflective and contemplative mood. I feel that way right now as well.
Almost six months ago, I set myself an initial goal of 25 stories, one each week. It wasn’t always easy, and there were times when I didn’t always feel like writing, but I managed to reach that goal. This is story number 25. When I started, I hadn’t planned that my final stories of the bunch would be published during these particular holidays, but I’m glad it turned out that way. It seems appropriate to me.
I would like to thank everyone who has ever read any of my stories here. You are the reason why I have persevered and stuck with this project, because I know that you enjoy what I have to share. Before any of you start worrying that I won’t be posting any more stories, let me assure you that it is not my intention to just quit now. I enjoy sharing these, and I enjoy the feedback I receive here and in the real world. However, I do intend to take a brief break from writing to evaluate my work and see what kind of direction I would like to go from here. That will also give me some time to build up some new story ideas.
With that out of the way, I couldn’t very well count this as a story if I don’t share something about nature. I think this particular event is very appropriate for the season of new beginnings, especially because it is occurring practically in my own backyard.
A mating pair of bald eagles, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, in Fort Myers have just had the first of two eggs hatch. That picture is the newly emerged eaglet and one of the parents. Like with so many newly born animals, the hatchling is incredibly cute, but it won’t stay that way for long. Bald eagle chicks grow quickly, faster than any other bird in North America. If all goes well, this chick will fledge (have its first flight) in as little as 8 weeks. By that time, the juvenile eagle looks almost exactly like its parents, only with brown plumage on its head and tail where the adults have white.
There are several cameras in place that are filming this particular eagle nest. The live stream has captured the attention of people throughout the country. There is still one unhatched egg that the parents are incubating, while also dealing with feeding a very hungry eaglet. The site also has a large number of posted videos from the feed going back to late November if you’d like to watch some of the earlier stages of their reproductive behavior. Go ahead and check it out when you have some free time, and try and see if you can use some of the techniques I’ve outlined earlier. Maybe you’ll notice something unexpected?
I wish you all well with your own new beginnings. I will be back with more stories in a few weeks.