Eagles are "Birds of prey". The scientific name for birds of prey is RAPTOR. This name comes from the Latin word meaning a Plunderer – someone who seizes and carries away.
Most of the Bald Eagle's diet consists of fish. No one is offended when a Bald Eagle swoops down and grabs a Flounder.
Sometimes an Eagle will snatch an Eel from the water! We all cheer because Eels are ugly and slimy. But what happens when this magnificent creature occasionally hunts something that is "cute"? Do you post it?? Especially on Facebook?? Facebook was created to help us stay in touch with friends or perhaps find new ones. It has become a place that, for the most part, presents a disingenuous version of our lives. For most of us, we only show the happy moments and celebrations. We don't show the "ugly" part of our lives. Is it the same for wildlife? Can we only post the pictures that are deemed "acceptable"? While I would never want to offend anyone, I believe that if we are chronicling the lives of "The Bald Eagles of Centerport" that we should show everything. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
We spend a lot of time around these creatures. In March of 2021, I saw Mom fly from the nest with something dangling from her talons. She landed in a nearby tree and proceeded to feast on a duck or small goose. I couldn't be sure. I did not post this photo to our Facebook page, because I didn't want to offend anyone. I still don't want to offend anyone, but I struggle with the dilemma of what I can post and what I can't.
Some of my most beautiful photos would be deemed offensive and heartbreaking.
To me they signify the truth that these Bald Eagles are raptors and opportunistic predators. This is what they do to survive...
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