Saturday, April 02, 2016

B is for Bald Eagle.

I had noticed in this area we have been seeing a lot more bald eagles lately. (I live in the Willamette Valley, in Oregon.)  I didn't think much of it, just that is terrific to see them, but hadn't really given a thought to WHY I was seeing so many more.

I was listening to an article, I believe on the radio, mentioning that the Willamette Valley has high sheep rates.  With lots of babies.  That are born in early spring.  For anyone that has been around sheep, they aren't the most hardy of babies, and the weather can be bad on them.

Terminally bad.

But, this is why the eagles are so prevalent.  They have found the lamb mortality to be great for feeding baby eaglets.  This, of course, leads to more eagles, and so on, the old circle of life bit.

While I am saddened for the loss of the lambs, I am so glad that it doesn't go to waste, and that other lives are the better for it.

****************

Ugh, what a day yesterday.  I had a class, on Child Abuse Prevention.  While it is an important topic, I wasn't doing really well by the end.  I mostly did it because it will be one more thing I will have information on to assist in my Neighborhood Watch duties.  It was a tear-jerker in several spots, anger inducing in others.  But, it was a good turnout, and a vibrant bunch of people, so hopes that it will do well.

Tell you what though, one problem I had was the CHAIRS.  I don't know why, but it seems like the general use chairs make me ache by the time I am done...  The fact it was multiple hours parked with no breaks didn't help.

The lunch was good, mixed greens salad and wraps...  And now, on to the next thing.  Whatever said thing will be...

10 comments:

Stephanie Faris said...

Chairs can be awful at those things...and sitting for long periods of time. Yuck!

Cperz said...

I am sad for the high mortality rates of lambs as they are the cutest of the cute farm animals but as you say it is good for the eaglets.

Child abuse..Now there is a sad, depressing subject but I am sure that working in a preventative capacity helps feel like something positive is being done. I applaud your efforts in such a worthy cause. Yay, Cat!!!

stephen Hayes said...

Gee, I live in the Willamette Valley and have never seen a bald eagle. I need to look harder.

messymimi said...

Bald eagles are beautiful, and they have to eat, too. It makes me sad to think about it, maybe that's why i don't eat meat any more.

Thank you for tackling that sensitive and scary subject.

Cat said...

Amen!
Cat

Cat said...

Yes, it is sad, but it is one of the things that happen...
And thank you, yes, it was not one of the more pleasant classes I've taken. Hopefully it will go to good use, however...
Cat

Cat said...

I am given to understand it's down in this part of the valley, where all the sheep are being raised, in fact, the two local counties are supposed to be the highest in eagle population outside of Alaska. Considering the SHEEP population, that isn't as surprising as it could be. Cat

Cat said...

It's one of the things that I see, it's sad, but happy, too, if you see what I mean.

Cat

Unknown said...

We just have boring old ugly ibis here and swarms of bats at night...what a noise!

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

At least other babies are being fed... Good luck with the rest of the challenge.