A tribute to Phoenix

I was unbelievably saddened this morning when I read on friend Art's (LeapFrog!) photostream that Phoenix, the young Bald Eagle on Hornby Island (off the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada), had died, at 76 days old. So many people have been watching this amazing story unfold over the last few months, thanks to the webcam that Doug and Sheila Carrick have so kindly and generously provided, not just this year, but for some time. This pair of Eagles have been observed laying eggs in this nest since 1990, so they are at least 25 years old. Phoenix was almost ready in the coming week to make her very first "flight" to a nearby branch, but instead, she will now be flying "over the Rainbow Bridge", in endless skies and sunlight. A handful of years, and she will have become a beautiful adult like the one in my image, taken at the Calgary Zoo. For those of you who find yourself becoming very attached to a wild creature, you will understand just how close that bond can become. I know I will never look at a majestic Bald Eagle in the same way again. Watching daily as this tiny "ball of fluff with the big feet" grew and grew to almost the size of her parents, the care with which the adults fed and looked after their little one was heart-warming and impressive. I have found myself sometimes thinking, as I watched the webcam, that if only every single human child could receive such caring, the world would be a much better, happier place! This family of Bald Eagles had (and will continue to have) so much to teach us, including that Nature can be sad, too - but Nature usually does such a good job of balancing its own without human interference. My heart goes out to Mom and Dad Eagle and to Doug and Sheila, who have enabled us to witness (yet again) both the miracles and sadness of Nature. Thanks also to all the followers who have kept us all up-to-date on the Hornby Island website forum - you must all be sharing the same deep sadness today. A few moments ago, we saw an experienced tree climber (Dan Hamilton), who had been specially called in as fast as possible, reach the nest and bring Phoenix down so that a necropsy can be performed and important information can be shared. R.I.P., young Phoenix.

Sorry, I've ended up swamping you with my photos, today ...