Adventure 121-Bald Eagle

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 121-Bald Eagle

Team: YOLT

Date:  June 6, 2013

Location: Above Vogelsang

Description:
Last year we quoted Annie Dillard. It would not be out of place to quote her again this year:

Beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will

or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.

Annie Dillard, Pilgram at Tinker Creek, pg 287

(The Annie Dillard Reader)

This was true last year, and it is true this year. Last year we were in the midst of a cross-country hike and saw a bird, a very large bird, around a 40' cascade, but a bit slow with the camera. While not as dramatic as last year—it is dramatic anytime you see a big bird, it still was exciting.



This year, we were returning from Vogelsang Lake, descending down a trail with patchy snow, when below us there was something large moving in the trees. It then lifted off and soared down Fletcher Creek. Gary was able to get it focused in on one shot. It was only later on did we realize what we saw—a bald eagle. Later on, on our afternoon hike, while coming back from Emeric Lake, we saw white feathers on the ground. Not just one or two, but feathers which we were able to track for an eighth of a mile. When comparing the feathers initially against the iBird app, then later on at home, we realized these feathers came from a bald eagle's tail.



Later on when we talked with personnel at the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, they confirmed that there was a bald eagle over the ridge from where we were at. So exciting.



You can see the eagle entry for last year on our blog.