30 October 2016
The Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus, no longer subjected to the senseless and unremitting persecution by mankind that it suffered for so long, is making a recovery in our area and several strongholds for this species may be found with relative ease. It is still not common, but a dedicated searcher in the right habitat, can generally locate an eagle or two.
Miriam and I first spotted this individual as it lifted off from the water and flew to a perch along the river's edge.
The primary diet of the Bald Eagle is fish, which it catches live by grabbing prey from the water in its huge talons, or for which it scavenges, exhibiting no reluctance to feed on a dead carcass.
The Grand River hosts a substantial population of ducks too and winter populations, especially of Mallard Anas platyrynchos, are significant. Bald Eagles are very adept at carefully scanning a flock of ducks for an injured individual and an easy meal is thereby procured.
This species may be more common than it has been for many years; it is nonetheless a very special sighting and one in which we rejoice.
On a completely different note, Miriam showed me a curious comment on Facebook from an American of our acquaintance stating that she wished "foreigners" would stop making comments about the terrifying prospect of having Donald Trump elected President of the United States, and would concentrate on getting their own house in order.
If elected, Donald Trump, would have his finger on the nuclear button and that alarming fact transcends any national borders. Any irrational act on his part would not respect national boundaries.
And the United States still lays claim to being the leader of the free world (a fact which many would dispute - and would certainly be abrogated by a Trump presidency), so they can't make that assertion and then tell the rest of the world to mind its own business.
In any event the following video expresses my sentiments entirely and I hope that our friends south of the border will come to their senses and elect Hillary Clinton on 8 November. She is a flawed candidate to be sure, but is so much more preferable to Donald Trump there is no contest.
The rest of the world shakes its collective head in disbelief and dismay that out of a population of 330 millions these are the best two candidates available.
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