Occasionally when I’ve seen a new and exceptionally interesting documentary about birds in particular or nature in general I recommend it here. Three days ago NOVA aired a new one on PBS entitled “Eagle Power” and it fits those parameters.
Many readers have likely already seen the photos below but for today’s post they’re only secondary to my attempt to encourage folks to watch this new and uncommonly good documentary. I typically don’t suggest that some of my favorite photos should take a back seat to much of anything but for “Eagle Power” I’ll make an exception.
In this instance NOVA producers attempt to answer the question “What makes eagles so special?” and even though they briefly discuss many of the world’s eagle species they focus on two of them – Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles like this one. We’re introduced to “Tilly” a very special Golden Eagle and her handler who have a unique and incredibly trusting bond.
Tilly demonstrates her exceptional strength, eyesight, and flying skills for the viewer in jaw-dropping ways. If I know my blog followers many of you will be like me and you’ll ache to have a bond of your own with such a magnificent bird.
Not a good idea for most of us of course, but still…
With intimate access to a nesting pair of Bald Eagles we witness the struggles of their chicks to survive. Living in the Intermountain West as I do where blood-sucking black flies aren’t a problem I had no idea they could be such a threat to nesting birds.
Of course another problem faced by the adult eagles is finding enough food for their growing chicks who can increase their weight by a staggering 500% in their first week after hatching. That food is typically fish and we witness the truly impressive fishing skills of adult Bald Eagles.
Eagles, almost by definition, fight. Regularly and often viciously. So Nova demonstrates the exceptional strength in their talons necessary for surviving serious skirmishes like this one and for killing and handling prey that can often weigh significantly more than they do.
The demonstration of the ratchet-locking mechanism in their talons is the best I’ve ever seen. After watching it you’ll understand why bird rehabbers and others who handle eagles and are “taloned” by their avian patients simply have to wait until the eagle chooses to let go. Other strategies in that situation are usually useless and can potentially cause more harm to both eagle and victim than is necessary.
When it comes to nature documentaries I’m not easily impressed. To be honest I’m more of a fan of older docs than many new ones because of their tendency for sensationalism, unnecessary manipulation and hyper-dramatic narration (all of which I think insultingly underestimate the viewer.)
But in my estimation Nova has done an impressive job on “Eagle Power”. It’s more than worth your time to watch it and I hope you will. If you choose to watch it online as I typically do here’s the link (link should work until 6/17/20).
Otherwise it can be found on your local PBS station.
Ron
I’m looking forward to watching this program today. And your recommendation just moves it up on the priority list. Like you, I’ve been sorely disappointed with so many other programs, so I’ve dawdled in watching this one, lest that happen again.
As a falconer, I can tell you that the bond of trust is all you have with these outrageously wonderful birds. After all, it always comes down to they can fly. You can’t. It’s a profound bond, one that changed me at the core, DNA level. I credit Mariah (25-year-old passage female redtail hawk) for making me a much better human, one who values honesty, personal (and societal) integrity and a deep respect for those other societies that share this planet with us above all else. She made me question and ponder everything I used to know as truth only to find out my former human truth was seriously flawed and needed adjusting/changing.
I’ve been unable to properly explain or describe this connection such that non-falconers could really understand, probably because it’s beyond understanding at its core. Why this utterly magnificent creature would choose to partner with us lowly humans remains a mystery to me, but I think it’s about the concept that servants are good. And make no mistake–falconry is a master/slave relationship and the human is NOT in charge!
While it’s often beyond my understanding, it’s a connection that quickens my soul every day.
Oh and if you’re ever footed (taloned), all you have to do is pretend you’re dead. Go limp and just wait it out until they can let go. Do not do the human thing and pull back because you will turn a simple puncture wound into a major tear wound and they’ll clamp down harder! No screaming (they LIKE that), no movement (they’ll need to kill it), and especially no bleeding (they LIKE that, too). In a rehab situation, you’re dealing with righteous fear, but in a falconry situation you have broken a rule. Don’t do that again.
Laura, I’ve had to rescue a few raptors in my day and it may happen again so I’ll definitely keep your advice in mind.
I am hoping that I will be able to watch it on my flight to SLC tomorrow. It will be great to pass the in air time with !! AI on Monday !!
I hope you have a good, safe trip, Gary. Emphasis on the latter.
The second frame is one of my favorite eage images of all times, but the first one…of the Golden…….sigh!!!!!❤️
I figured you’d recognize that Golden photo, Patty…
👍❤️
It is sadly NOT available to me – or not using your link. I suspect it is the country border issue.
Thank you – and I will try and find another way.
I hope you figure it out, EC. I think you’d like it very much.
Thank you Ron for sharing that and your amazing images as well.
Thanks, Thomas.
Thanks for the heads up, Ron. I’ll be sure to check out the show.
For now, though, my coffee tastes better as I savor your images. Wow!
Thanks, Wally. I guzzle coffee in the morning but after about 8 AM I never touch the stuff.
Saw a Golden Eagle once.
Bald Eagles are here year round.
Rare or common, your photos allow another level of appreciation. The gradation of feather colors that you capture are just exceptional. Lone Eagle with Fish (I forgot about the fish scale-tried to wipe it off my screen🙂) seems to have infinite shades of gray and browns, but all images are mesmerizing.
Yep, “Eagle Power” on the big screen tonight.
“I forgot about the fish scale-tried to wipe it off my screen🙂”
Lyle, every time I reprocess that image I think about removing the scale for that very reason. Can’t bring myself to do it though…
I still have my classroom VHS (and a few DVDs) collection — mostly NOVA and Nature specials with some older National Geographics and a bunch of videos from JPL and NASA. It’s almost impossible to find a VHS player now, so one of these days I need to get the videos transferred to DVD or BluRay before THOSE become obsolete too.
All three of the shots you included today are absolutely magnificent! Be-still my heart, that golden nape! Thank you for such beauty today and also for the video link. I’ll be sure to watch it today.
It’ll be worth your time, Marty. I can almost guarantee it.
I watched it the first night it aired. I did enjoy the bond Lloyd Buck had with Tilly, 20 years long, may it go for 20 more. I have watched other shows with Lloyd and his wife Rose, Nature, Owl Power, I tried to find a link to the show but only found reference.
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/owl-power/11628
And a show raising geese for a show about migration. There is also a show if available, Lloyd and Rose Buck, Our Life with Birds.
I was going to mention about the ability to release or open the toes but, Pierce Fleming, (what a cool name!), beat me to it. The early fledgling and injury to the young balds in the show was heartbreaking. I am happy they were able to rehabilitate and release both chicks. In Utah our two culprits to eagles loss are lead poising from shot from hunters leaving dead animals like jackrabbits or gut piles from big game, and mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus. Every Year there a are a good number of golden eagles hit by cars or literately sucked up by semis when eating road kill along rural Utah roads. Life isn’t easy!
“Life isn’t easy”
It sure isn’t, April. Twice I’ve seen Golden Eagles in the west desert come within a gnat’s eyelash of becoming road kill.
I had watched it just last night, even woke up thinking about it — and here we are! “Eagle Power” is right … the size of Tilly’s talons in slo-mo close-up was astounding, and her skill at sighting, chasing and grabbing “robo-bunny” and then carrying it … just unbelievable! I will never delete this episode from my DVR — joining Nova’s “Worlds Fastest Animal” about Peregrine Falcons from 2 yrs ago, with the same handler. He’s a lucky guy!
“I will never delete this episode from my DVR”
I’ll bet you won’t be the only one who will make that choice, Chris.
Great shots as usual. Love Tilly great PBS documentary. As much as the Eagles are our national symbol, my favorite here in North American is the Golden Eagle! Between the Arctic Gyr Falcon and the Golden it is a toss up! Many thanks! Have the show saved on TV and now watched it on my computer. Wonderful post today!
Thanks, Dick. Glad you enjoyed it.
Great post Ron and great photos too. Off and on for the past month or so during brief escapes from quarantine, my wife and I have been watching a nesting pair of bald eagles in the Sierra foothills. So, we really enjoyed watching Eagle Power the other evening. I record all Nova episodes and I use some of them and other PBS nature shows for some of my classes. In case any of your followers are interested and have missed them, here are two more really good ones with links: Rise of the Mammals (Nova) and The Serengeti Rules.
https://pbsinternational.org/programs/rise-of-the-mammals/
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/the-serengeti-rules-41dfru/20105/
Thank you,
Pat
Patrick, I’ve watched them both and agree that they’re very good. NOVA has been one of the best sources for quality nature docs for decades. I also used to use them in the classroom.
Thanks for the tip! I’ve shared the NOVA URL to my Audubon chapter’s FB page. In other eagle-related news, I found this today on the BBC site: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52779727 . Today must be eagle day.
David vs Goliath indeed!
It was a great documentary, Ron. I volunteer at the Raptor Center in St Paul, and among other things I fly eagles one day a week (shut down now due to COVID 19). When opening the talons for foot treatment or whatever, you pull back the middle toe which will keep the others from collapsing on your fingers. But it sounds and feels like you’re pulling on a large zip tie the wrong way. It feels like it should hurt but it doesn’t seem to bother them. Other than bruising their formidable ego.
Fascinating observation, Pierce. Thank you for sharing it.
That 2nd photo is spectacular! Thanks for the heads up about “Eagle Power”
Thanks and you’re welcome, Lynnette.
I had this show saved on my DVR for 2 weeks ❗️Since the Bald eagle is my favorite I could not wait to see the show. It lived up to the previews 😁
I had popped on to that Decorah nest a couple times. It was heartbreaking to see what those black flies were doing.
To know that they were so cared for and able to be release was thrilling 😍 Cheers to rehabbers❗️
“Cheers to rehabbers”
I couldn’t agree more, Diana.
Wow , Ron!! LOVE your blog today!! Being introduced to 3 bald Eagle nests in 2014, Bald Eagles became my absolute favorite bird and sparked an eye-opening experience where I moved from a lover of birds to what I like to call myself a “Ornithologeek” – LOL! My main mentor at the Berry College Eagle nest follows many eagle nests & told me about the NOVA Eagle special. I’ve saved it to my favorites since I know I will watch it multiple times. I so respect your opinion so I know I’ll be “over the moon” watching it.
Jo Ann, I wouldn’t be surprised if I watch it a second time and for me that would be unusual.
Definitely putting this on my list.
Good. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
Magnificent birds! Started watching Eagle Power………I’m impressed!
Judy, I watched it over two nights. Wanted to stretch out the enjoyment…
A very special post for me. And thank you for the link as I have not yet watched it. Eagles are my number one bird and always will be. Sad right now because ours have left for the north and we won’t see any of them again till October at the earliest. Before moving here to Prescott in 2006, I had never seen one in the wild. Since then they have been my birding passion. As a side, I am also a Philadelphia Eagles fan and have been since 1948. Looking forward to watching this PBS special.
And Ron, your fighting eagle photo and the one with the fish are extraordinary.
Well, let’s see, Everett – since eagles are your favorite birds and you’ve been a long time Philadelphia Eagles fan I have to wonder if you’re also a fan of the Eagles (musical group). That would make it a triplet… 🙂
Ron – like many of the Eagles hits, but I was already in my mid 30’s when they started to become popular so I was never a big fan.
Just finished watching that outstanding NOVA show and want to thank you for posting it here.
Wow, that didn’t take you long…
I did watch this show on our PBS station…most impressiveI Seeing the Golden Eagle’s bond with her handle was eye opening. I’ve watched a few other documentaries about falcons and the handlers but this was really special…just the size of that eagle is breath taking. What a bond of trust!
“What a bond of trust!”
That was very evident, wasn’t it Kathy. I was so jealous and still am.
This documentary was already on my list, and now I will definitely watch it. I have the privilege of handling raptors at a local rehab center, though not yet an eagle. Have never been taloned, but was strangely proud of my first bite and of the bruise that lingered for several weeks after. I likened it to knowing you’re a real seamstress after putting a sewing machine needle through your finger, which I have also done. 🙂
Cathy, I got a real kick out of your comment. Had to read it several times… 🙂