The American Bald Eagle
By fishtiger58
@fishtiger58 (29823)
Momence, Illinois
January 11, 2016 8:16am CST
On a visit to Reelfoot State Park my husband and I went to the Reelfoot State Park Museum. Behind the museum they have a raptors cage where birds of prey are tended to when they are injured. If possible once a bird is healed they are released back into the wild.
Currently they have 2 Bald Eagles, 3 Red Tailed Hawks, 1 Red Shouldered Hawk, 2 Great Horned Owls and 1 Screech Owl. Some of these birds of prey will never sufficiently heal from their injuries but they have a home here.
The Bald Eagle was taken off the threatened and endangered species list in 2007 for the first time since the 1940's. This particular eagle (pictured here) has a foot damaged beyond repair and will remain with the Park Service for the rest of it's life, as he can't hunt prey due to the damage.
If you are ever in the Reelfoot State Park area do go see the museum and the huge cages behind the museum to view these amazing birds of prey.
I took this shot of the Bald Eagle inside the cage. It's amazing how close they allow you to get to this cage. It's quite a sight to see.
16 people like this
16 responses
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Jan 16
No I was on the outside, and manage to get a good shot. I was pleased to be able to not get the cage in the shot.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
11 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 You got a great shot, because you cannot see the cage at all in your photo.
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Jan 16
@LadyDuck I was really happy about that.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246905)
• United States
11 Jan 16
The bald eagles are huge! We took our grandkids to a zoo here in Florida. I have seen them before, but never appreciated their size. I am glad to hear they are well provided for, the poor babies. We have red tailed Hawks in my area of Connecticut. When I take Doodles the cat outside, he circles us. I love birdies!!!
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Jan 16
Looking to have cat for lunch aye
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
11 Jan 16
Impressive photo of one of Earth's most beautiful creatures
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
12 Jan 16
He is beautiful!
The Sanctuary in Arkansas also has several healing Birds of Prey. One is a Bald Eagle. We used to go down there several times a year, but haven't gone lately...
They also have many big cats that people kept as pets until the cats were too big and dangerous to keep any longer.
They get most of their money for the Sanctuary from donations of both food and money... Walmart still donates a large portion of meats to the Sanctuary every year.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 Yeah, it isn't very smart of them, that's for sure! They can turn on you very fast. One wrong move and you are lunch, dinner and breakfast the next day!
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Jan 16
Thanks I was pretty happy with the shot. I don't understand people keeping wild cats as pets.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205796)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 Do you have a large river nearby?
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Jan 16
We have a bald eagle living on the river near my home I see him occasionally. I am pretty sure I know the area he has his nest so this spring I am going to see if I can get a shot of him.
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Jan 16
@TheHorse yup I live right next to the Kankakee River it flows right through my town.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
11 Jan 16
I think the only wild animals that should live in captivity are those being helped, either because of injury or to increase their numbers by breeding them.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 Which is what I enjoyed about your story.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Jan 16
@ElizabethWallace A couple of weeks ago I posted about and American Kestrel they had there. Absolutely beautiful bird. He was injured, and when he was healed and ready they let him go he wouldn't leave. I think he liked the easy food.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Jan 16
I totally agree, that's what this place was.
3 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@fishtiger58
That would be good to get a photo of it where it lives if you can do so.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Jan 16
We now have one living on the river I live next too. I'm hoping to get some photos of it. I have a general idea where his nest is as well.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Jan 16
@Marcyaz It would, I'm going to go look when it gets a bit warmer out. See if I can find his nest and get some shots of him. It will have to be in spring before the leaves pop out on the trees.
1 person likes this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 I think the nest size impressed me because it was in a huge tree and it still looked big.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Jan 16
They are such a huge bird, and the nest size is almost as amazing as the bird.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Jan 16
@mommaj the nests are huge, I think a human could fit in them.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
11 Jan 16
Wow! I think I would get chills from seeing that magnificent bird up close. I am glad they have a place to be tended to, or to call home if they are too injured to fend for themselves.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Jan 16
I am too and the cages are pretty big as well. I didn't know how really big eagles are until I saw this one
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
11 Jan 16
Dolly has an Eagle sanctuary at Dollywood. Great photo as always.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
11 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 If you ever get to TN be sure to check it out.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Jan 16
I have never been there but would like to if just to see the eagles. Thanks
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
11 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 I do wish you luck and I hope it's not too long before we see a picture of the one living near you.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Jan 16
@jaboUK It might be it's really cold and nasty out there.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Jan 16
Thanks, we have a bald eagle living on the river I live next too. I just got a new zoom lens so I'm hoping to do just that. Get one in the wild. Wish me luck.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Jan 16
Better someone takes care of him than for him to die. He is beautiful.
2 people like this
@sgbrown (1638)
• United States
16 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 I wish they were more common around here! I think they are such beautiful birds!
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
11 Jan 16
How beautiful. I would have loved to have seen him. I'm a huge fan of owls though and they would be my favorite. :-)
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Jan 16
Owls are my favorite as well. Hard birds to see though.
3 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
12 Jan 16
Sounds like a great place to visit. It amazing what can be done for injured birds. I watch on TV every once in a while a show of letting the birds free, so good to see.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Jan 16
It is, I posted about a Kestrel they let him go but he didn't want to leave. Free and easy food I guess lol.
1 person likes this
