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GOLDEN EAGLE

It is hard to estimate how common, or rare, the eagles are in the park. They are creatures of the clouds and highest peaks. From park records the golden eagle is mere commonly found on the bare, grassy slopes of the north and east sides. Taylor and Shaw record them "at intervals all around the mountain". A pair were seen by the writer over Stevens' Canyon on May 24, 1937. On July 23, 1937, two immature birds, probably out of the same nest, were observed playing in the air over Cowlitz Park. They would circle and dive at each other, and would sometimes dive together. The exhibition lasted some ten minutes and the white, immature markings were easily identified. On October 19, 1937, a bird was observed hunting over a rock slide at the Colonnades.

The food of these eagles in the park consists chiefly of rodents and other small animals. Of these the marmot is undoubtedly the most hunted in summer.

A naturalist friend of mine once told me he was resting on a high rocky plateau on Mt. Baker, observing at the time a large marmot stretched out on a rook. Presently a golden eagle passed a quarter of a mile beyond, seemingly taking no notice of the marmot and descending out of sight down the hillside. In a few moments there was a roar of wings, the eagle passed over the watcher's head and struck the marmot with such force and speed that the bird continued onward some 150 yards before turning to secure his prey. Such is the power of the King of Birds!

Adult golden eagles can be told from the bald eagle by the lack of white head and tail. The immature golden eagle has the upper half of the tail white, lacking in the immature bald eagle.

Eagles will return to the same nest (or aerie) year after year unless disturbed. Two or three eggs are the usual number. They are dirty-white in color with brownish stains.

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SOUTHERN BALD EAGLE

Other common names: Bird of Washington; Gray Eagle, second year; Black Eagle, first year.

The bald eagle is probably a more common bird in the park than the golden eagle - at least it is more easily recognized with its white head and tail. Again, they are more attracted by water so that we may expect, and do find them at lower levels in and out of the park. In the fall the salmon running in the rivers attract these eagles, and they become fishermen.

Dropping down on the slowly dying fish, they grasp their prey with strong talons, and with mighty wing-beats drag their meal ashore to enjoy a feast complete. The Ohanapecosh and Cowlitz Rivers just outside the park are favorite feeding grounds when the salmon are running.

The bald eagle (emblem of our country) measures up with his royal cousin, the golden eagle, in size and power of flight. At their best they are seen over some peak facing a strong wind or gale. Here they spend time and energy seemingly for pleasure, fighting the unseen power. At times they remain stationary, then with a scream and glide they press forward, defying the elements.

On a summer's day in 1935 an adult bald eagle was observed circling high over the ice fields of Rainier. Higher and higher it climbed until it seemed directly over the peak. Upward it went until out of sight even with the aid of binoculars - an inspiring sight and a sublime exhibition of freedom.

Bald eagles nest early and in the west they often choose our tallest fir trees as well as the cliffs for the nesting sites. As they return year after year to the same site unless disturbed, the repairing and addition each year changes the original "bundle of sticks" to an immense mass or collection, so great that in many places the high tree finally dies and later crashes earthward.

By the highway approaching the Ohanapecosh entrance stands a tall fir, the top of which hangs directly over the roadway. Near the top is an old eagle's nest, now deserted. An old timer informed me that it had been there over 40 years. Estimating its size from below, it looked about 10 feet across and 8 feet high.

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Descriptions continued...