I was driving on Route 9 in Croton-on-Hudson with my mouth agape and my eyes wide. I stared straight up into the sky. This was one of those occasions when surprise took over any thought I had to stay on the road. A bald eagle, with its 7-foot wingspan, soared gracefully over my car. My heart raced, and I suddenly felt small in comparison to this powerful bird. I had to pop back into highway reality, but I couldn’t help but wonder whether the excitement and humility that I had just felt was also experienced by Native Americans when they encountered eagles along the Hudson River hundreds of years ago, before the eagle population began its decline.

In Native American stories, the eagle is often portrayed as an animal that connects the spirit world of the sky to the material world of earth. Eagle can soar higher than any other, but comes back down to earth to bring us wisdom and stories from the creator above. That does sound exciting and humbling. The modern-day story of the bald eagle is different in many ways, but bears the same message.

In the late 1960’s in New York State, the bald eagle population had shrunk to only one unfertile pair. Combined national, state and local efforts over the last 40 years have brought the bald eagle back to an impressive 658 eagles, as counted in the 2010 New York State winter survey. Recovery efforts included a ban on DDT, a common pesticide that had negative effects on the reproductive success of many birds of prey.  Also, the Department of Environmental Conservation created a re-introduction program that imported and raised eaglets in New York State. These eaglets eventually fledged from artificial nest platforms and formed breeding pairs to renew the population.

These are just two of the efforts that have made it possible for bald eagle appreciators to flock to the Hudson River and observe these birds during the winter months. Observe the river this winter and see for yourself bald eagles sitting on the ice, flying overhead, or roosting in trees. They are attracted to areas of open water where they can catch fish, and sheltered areas where they can roost on cold winter nights. While you are eagle watching, please remember to respect eagles by keeping your distance, keeping quiet, and keeping your dog at home.

There are many places to view eagles on the river, but for a fun and educational experience, you can attend Teatown Lake Reservation’s Hudson River EagleFest this Saturday, February 5^th.  Naturalists from collaborating organizations are ready with scopes at viewing sites along the river including Riverfront Green in Peekskill and George’s Island in Montrose. At Eagle Pavilion in Croton Point Park you can see live raptor shows, educational programs, and even sign up to take an eagle exploration bus tour.

What story will the eagles tell you? Will it be the story of our powerful nation, or a great ecological success?  Maybe the story of a surprise visit on the highway, or an animal that soars above to share the wisdom of living in harmony with nature. As for me, I am constantly excited to see bald eagles in my backyard, but have learned that the biggest threat to bald eagles today is habitat loss due to development. I am cautiously optimistic that the bald eagle will continue to have stories to tell, as long as we keep working towards a healthy earth, for all our relations.