Delightful, charming, fascinating.
A superb job - so personal, so straightforward, and so gripping.
The story begins in 1989 when the eagles first built their nest behind the author's house and ends up 17 years later with the eagles appearing on the web-cam where they were seen by millions around the world. To the disappointment of many, the eagles' eggs failed to hatch that year, but all in all, their lifetime record has been good - 15 eaglets fledged in the 17 years. The following year (not on camera) they fledged two more eaglets, Thunder and Lightning. The author discusses all aspects of the eagles' life. In the way of nutrition he discusses the importance of the millions of spawned out salmon carcasses each fall, essential to the eagles' survival through the winter. Then there are the massive herring runs each spring, kick starting the breeding season, followed by the lesser-known Midshipmen, found in tidal pools all summer long - baby food for the new chicks. The relationship between eagles and osprey, herons, vultures, geese and crows are explored, along with nest building, mating, care of young, migration and much more -always with vivid descriptions - a pleasure to read. |
