Wounded Eagle

Photos by Stan Rolfsrud

Dozens of opportunistic bald eagles circled a known spawning pool this afternoon. The visitors watched as the eagles winged up and away from the intruding boaters . . . except for one. . . who walked with an awkward gait up the river bank. Odd, thought the boatmen. Why not fly with the others? Perhaps it was jealously guarding a new kill too heavy to lift, the tenderfoot suggested.
Later, homeward bound from an inspection tour of the spring melt spilling over a nearby waterfall, the pair spotted the eagle again, now perched on a heavy branch near the water. Closer observation revealed that the bird must have suffered some kind of mishap, but was still able to clumsily flop from branch to branch, then coldly eyeball the interlopers.
A few quick photos and the eagle was left alone with great hope that whatever ails this magnificent creature will soon heal and it will once again soar with the others over the Ontario wilderness.