“Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic; but destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country.” William Jennings Bryan

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

April 20, 2021

 


 

Earth Day!

I took this shot last Sunday. The eagle was sitting in an oak tree at the side of a field, waiting I think, for prey. In NJ, bald eagles are making a comeback. Due to DDT and habitat loss, there was only one known active nest in the state as of the early ‘80s. Since then, with the disastrous environmental effects of DDT fading, biologists worked to reintroduce bald eagles and protect their nesting habitats. There are now 220 known active nests in the state, and at least one in each county, with most being in the southern counties.

I remember the times when there were no bald eagles to be seen. Now, I see at least one, two, or more on most days spring through fall, perched somewhere or floating high above on thermals. I don’t always get a chance to take a photo - that is still a very exciting and special occasion for me. (Admittedly, I sometimes still succumb to 'camera shake' because of the excitement.)

With all the saddening news about climate change and the destruction of natural areas, especially with the recent openings of so many of our national lands for profit, its uplifting to see a bald eagle, and to know that their story is a good one that continues to get better.

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