[oblib]

I'm 66 years old and never saw a Bald Eagle until I was in my 30s. That was near St. Louis along the Mississippi River. Where I live now (the Ozarks) they're common to see and have been for over 30 years. Some years ago I was camping out here on a lake shore and early in the morning there was a pair of Bald eagles sitting together on a limb on the other side of the lake. I couldn't help but stand there and stare at them. After a bit one of them took off and started flying right toward me, and when it got to my side of the lake it swooped down and pick up a dead branch off the shore line and then turn at me, flapped it's wings a couple time and then threw it at me! Then it flew right back to where its mate was and sat back down next it. I couldn't help but think they were both laughing at me.

Last year, about this time of year, I saw my first Golden Eagle. It was trying to snatch one of my hens. Those are truly amazing. By far the biggest bird I've ever seen. And to be so close to it too. I wasn't more than 12ft from it. I waved my arms and screamed at it and it finally let go of the hen and took off. As it took off I saw there was a "murder" of crows sitting in the trees watching us, at least 30-40 of them, and the eagle took off heading their way. As soon as it got close to the them they all took off chasing it, dive bombing it and cawing like mad!

It's truly great to see them, but my experience is you can't trust them.

[RajT88]

I only rarely saw a bald eagle until I moved into a river house a few years back.

That river was one I'd fished since I was a kid. What I've seen has been amazing, all up - the river is far more full of bigger and healthier fish than it ever has been. The birds I've seen along the river have been of a much wider variety, including plenty of Bald Eagles (but also a massive population of red tail hawks, turkey vultures, cranes, storks, herons, etc.). In the spring we get flocks of pelicans coming through the last few years! Pelicans! Occasionally, I get to see an eagle or hawk snatch a fish out of the water.

It's really been amazing to see. It's not all good news - you can't leave small pets unattended outside. We got a ~40lb dog instead of a smaller one because of this.

[jjice]

I don't know if it's just because I grew up with American media that made them seem badass, but the first time I saw one up in Maine I was blown away. It looked so stoic. Also very intimidating for someone going on a hike.

[Wohlf]

There must be something to it since eagles have been used as symbols for thousands of years alongside the likes of lions and dragons. If anything, media undersells how big and intimidating they are in real life.

[m463]

> crows sitting in the trees

crows making noise are a surefire way to find out anything going on in the woods.

except once I found a silent crow, but a bluejay squawking - the crow was stealing from the bluejay's nest.

[neolefty]

> It's truly great to see them, but my experience is you can't trust them.

Suddenly a life lesson.

> ... it finally let go of the hen and took off.

How was the hen afterwards?

[oblib]

She was fine.

[techterrier]

Super wierd take.

[JKCalhoun]

Ha ha, the last line made me ponder whether the whole thing was a metaphor. I've been watching too many Russian films lately I suppose.