The reason that this eagle presentation is so inspirational is because it's a metaphor for adapting. If you take on the persona of the eagle then its possible to visualize how you could re-invent yourself, and
how you may change your lifestyle in the coming year.
Note: This presentation works best if you focus on the message. Here is a huge powerful bird, nevertheless, to achieve its full potential,
the Eagle needs periods were it regenerates before it strikes out in a new direction.
The Story of the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Classical Head Shot of the The Bald Eagle - The Symbol of the United States of America
The bald eagles are only found on the North American continent, where they can live be over 35 years old (50 in captivity). However, they need rests periods where they can regenerate their talons and beak so that they catch more prey.
Note: The presentation works less well if you fret about accuracy of some of the claims for talon, wing and beak re-growth.
Eagle Displaying Wings
After a period of rest, the eagle has grown a new sharp beak and razor sharp talons.
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Eagle Hunting on Thermals
As you watch the presentation, think of periods in your life where you have 'regenerated', or 'reinvented' yourself.
The bald eagle is not bald, so much as 'piebald'. Its body is black
while the head and tail are white, a classic piebald combination. Indeed in its
Latin name Haliaeetus leucocephalus, leuco means white, while cephalus means
head. The piebald effect is noticeable because the eaglet chicks have the
same coloured feathers all over their bodies. But when they reach
about 3 years old they start developing the different coloured body compared
with the head, this piebald process completes when they are about 6 years
old.
Eagles build their nests in the most inaccessible places. While they have no natural enemies, bald eagles have learned to avoid sites where their eggs could be stolen. One surprise is that the
eggs are so small, given that the nests are so big. An even greater shock
is that the parents are loving, protective and attentive when the chicks are small. But once the parents sense they are old enough to fend for themselves, they
literally throw the fledgling of the nest; at which point the young bird either flies or dies. 99.9% fly - interesting technique.
Seafaring legend has is that no ship with an eagle on board can ever be
sunk. Perhaps this is way Americans have adopted the bird as their national emblem. An interesting point that the above PowerPoint presentation makes is that there comes a time when the adult eagles
have to regenerate their talons and beaks, else they will starve to death.
Field Biology has helped to establish that while the Bald Eagle does eat fish,
it does not consume sufficient quantities to be a threat to fisherman.
Up until the early 1950s Alaska placed a bounty on Bald Eagles, this short
sighted strategy was responsible for killing at least 100,000 Bald Eagles.
Perhaps an even bigger threat was the insecticide DDT, banning this and
similar pesticides saved birds at the top of the food train from extinction.
The
last 40 years have been good for the Bald Eagle. Back in 1967 it was one
of the first North American birds to be put on the 'Endangered Species' list.
Its classification has been relaxed to threatened, and to its present status of
protected.
The term 'Eagle eyed' is well deserved as they do have exceptional
ability to focus on prey from great heights. What would seem like a
blur or a spec to us, would be a tasty fish to a Bald Eagle.
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