Soaring Appreciation Nation’s Emblem Comes To Life For Children, Adults Alike

Bald eagles and amateur ornithologists are flocking to their annual holiday destination here on Lake Coeur d’Alene’s less inhabited east bays.

The eagles come to devour spawning kokanee. Wildlife enthusiasts come to watch.

Wednesday, a boatload of Hayden Lake fifth-graders wasn’t disappointed. They had a bird’s-eye view as several of the huge predators swooped to the water to snatch kokanee in their locked claws.

“I’ve never seen an eagle before,” said Tasha Smith of Hayden, straining to see an eagle soar over the boat. “They look so pretty.”

Parent volunteers shared in the enthusiasm.

“I’ve lived here all my life and just never paid attention,” said Tammy Ritzheimer.

But more and more visitors are paying attention to this annual migration.

Last weekend, more than 40 eagles were counted around Wolf Lodge Bay, Beauty Bay and Blue Creek Bay.

While about 70 pairs of bald eagles now nest in Idaho, the eagles on Lake Coeur d’Alene are on their way south from Canada and Alaska. “This is a great pit stop for the next leg of their journey,” explained Beth Paragamian, a wildlife education specialist who works for the state and federal governments.

With vision eight times better than humans, eagles can spot a fish from a mile and a half away. They can fly as fast as 65 mph, and dive at 150 mph. Though fish dinner is their favorite, they also eat ducks, rabbits and snakes. They have been known to swim to shore with a heavy fish, using their strong wings as paddles.

According to Phil Cooper, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the recovery of the bald eagle is a “true success story.”

Dwindling nesting habitat and the widespread use of pesticides after World War II resulted in a drastic decline in productivity. By the mid1960s, only about 4,000 remained in the lower 48 states, and in 1978 the species was listed as endangered.

But a federal ban on some toxic pesticides has helped the eagles recover. Nearly 1,000 spend the winter in Idaho and in 1994, their endangered species designation was dropped. The birds are considered a threatened species, however.

This year, mild weather is making it easier to see the eagles in their natural environment.

“This is better than reading it in a book or telling them about it,” said Merlin Olenslager, who was scouting for eagles with his granddaughter, Eden.

According to Paragamian, the bald eagle got its name when English settlers first arrived in North America. They used the term “baldy,” meaning white, to describe snowy mountain peaks as well as this species of eagle. The name stuck.

In 1782, the bald eagle was declared America’s national emblem. It narrowly edged out the wild turkey, which Ben Franklin preferred since he thought the eagle had bad moral character.

Franklin’s point is arguable. When eaglets are born, the oldest born often harass, even kill, the youngest in competition for food. Birds can often be seen “pirating,” or swooping to steal food from one another right after a catch.

On the other hand, the birds are monogamous and mate for life. The egalitarian males and females also share brooding and feeding duties.

Despite Franklin’s misgivings, the bird’s image and symbolism of freedom and spirit have played a significant role in American art, folklore, music and architecture.

They grace the backside of a quarter, symbolize a Boy Scout’s highest honor, and are a popular sports mascot.

Walt Whitman was inspired to write “The Dalliance of the Eagles.” In 1971, John Denver weighed in with “The Hawk and the Eagle.”

And Wednesday, 58 fifth-graders toted their binoculars home with new enthusiasm.

“I hope they remember this and it makes an impact,” said Hayden Lake Principal Kathy Kuntz. “We need to protect this lake, so we can keep the eagles.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Color Photos

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Watching eagles Eagle watching week on Lake Coeur d’Alene runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Fish and Game and Forest Service employees will have spotting scopes and informational exhibits for public use in the Wolf Lodge Bay area from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The eagles with mottled brown and white feathers are juveniles. The birds develop their distinctive white head and tailfeathers after four years. Sightseers are urged to park only in pull-outs or designated parking areas along the lake. Use quiet, slow motions when viewing and avoid following birds from roost to roost.