May 8, 2014

  • SOAR

    In 1975 I earned my Eagle Scout badge. I have always admired the American bald eagle, even more so since I became bald myself! In the 70's the American bald eagle was endangered. You were lucky to see one. I saw my first eagle in the wild in 1990. I was taken by surprise as I came across it unexpectedly. Over the years efforts by The Bald Eagle Restoration Project in NYS has restored over 80 nesting pairs.

    The once commonly used pesticide DDT was a major reason the eagles were vanishing. DDT entered the ecosystem via water run off and contaminated the lakes and streams. The eagles preyed on fish and the accumulation of DDT in their systems caused their egg shells to become fragile and break when the parents would sit on them, killing the undeveloped chicks. DDT was banned in 1972 and it took decades for the residual contamination to be effectively reduced to safe levels for the eagles to be able to effectively reproduce.

    I saw an eagle from the rooftop the other day hunting along a wooded creek in a highly populated urban area. I saw it again today following the ravine. I have seen quite a few eagles in the past two or three years. They are amazing birds to watch.

     

    Eagle Study

    I made a quick sketch of the bird. I am working on a new painting, of a dragon, but I want the face to bear the same expression, to convey the same feeling that one gets when it gazes upon an eagle. There is something I can not describe with words, but I think you sense it in the drawing.

    Soar like an eagle.

    SOAR - Save Our American Resources. We need to respect the earth and use it wisely.

Comments (20)

  • I'm still here on your site, because I wanted to see more of your art. I not only am loving this eagle, it's powerful gaze, but you taught me something that I didn't know ... about why the bald eagle was becoming extinct. Thank you!

  • I like'!!

  • I think she must have felt good and like a teenager as long as she just had 5 kids.

    When she had the last 3 I think it aged her. LOL

    I used to call my sister VO 5 like the hair gel just to get her going and crying.LOL

  • I cannot email you so I came here to reply to your message. I am doing fine and I am still in my boot. Will be in it for a year.

  • I have just read your mother's post and realized I have missed your birthday during I was away of xanga .
    happy belated birthday
    Michel

  • About the DDT it has been a true ecologique catastrophe in the western world where it was used .

  • FRANKLY ? JOHN? i THINK YOU CAN STAY ON YOUR POAINTING OF THE BALD EAGLE'S HEAD BECAUSE IT IS PERFECT ;
    THANKS FOR YOUR KIND COMMENT.
    iN FRIENDSHIP
    mICHEL

  • Happy Mother's Day to your wife and your mom! I hope they have a wonderful day!
    HUGS!!! :-)

  • Love your drawing and sentiments about this amazing bird. I love videos of them skimming the water and latching onto a fish--as beautiful as ballet.

  • That drawing is so amazing!! So very realistic....Don't worry about the dragon, because it's going to be perfect, just like this beautiful eagle....

  • we had one out at the lake for about two weeks and it was looking for a mate and couldn't find one and moved on.

  • I saw my first bald eagle when I travel to Alaska during the 90s. All I can say is these birds are huge.

  • I like to see eagles but I also remember that my little chickens and cats and dogs could be at risk if we had them around here. :O Someday I need to take painting classes. I think there's a hidden artist hidden inside! :)

  • great sketch! We too are seeing more eagles in our area ~ so happy about that ~

  • I've seen bald eagles in the wild several times...and it was breathtaking each time! I felt so honored! :-)

    Congrats on your Eagle Scout badge in '75! :-)

    And your eagle sketch is wonderful! :-) As I look at it, these words come to my mind...majesty, power, pride, wonder, honor! :-)

    Ooh, can't wait to see your dragon! :-)

    Yes, we should all SOAR!!! :-)

    HUGS!!! :-)

  • I don't recall ever seeing a bald eagle in the wild, but I saw a golden eagle in Colorado several years ago. The wingspan was enormous!

  • So you're a bald eagle? DDT did a lot of damage to the ecosystem -- it seems finally to be worn out of the system so that the eagles and other animals can come back. I love that the bald eagle is returning -- it's such a majestic bird. Look forward to seeing your dragon!

  • We see eagles occasionally near Winona Lake here in IN. I want to see a picture of the dragon too when it is done.

  • You have captured the intensity of the eagle's gaze. I hope you will post a photo of the dragon when it is done! I have only seen one eagle in the wild - in Florida near Cape Canaveral. It was perched on a dead tree. The raptor rehabilitator we give our extra mice to has an eagle that is blind and has a crippled leg - it was a casualty of a car accident.. now she uses it for education. Even blind it has that noble gaze - it just can't see what it's looking at!

  • Great sketch. Splendid capture of the eagle's expression.
    We see a lot of eagles here on the banks of the river Mississippi. Many tourists come just to view them.

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