Forever In My Mind
Back in the early 90’s, Ron and I traveled to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to release a rehabilitated baby porcupine.
On our journey to the UP, we camped at a state park near Mackinaw. The park ranger saw the Operation Orphan sign on the camper and was curious, so he came over to talk to us. When he found out that I was a Wildlife Rehabilitator, he shared with me something that he had never shared with anyone else: Down by the beach, every morning at 6 a.m. a bald eagle flies into the bay, catches fish and takes them to a huge boulder to eat. You could set your watch by him.
He could tell I was very interested in the story and asked if I would like to see the eagle in action. Of course, I jumped at the chance! The next morning, Ron and I got up at 4 a.m. to start on our adventure. True to the ranger’s directions, getting there was not easy. We first had to travel through a marsh, where we were in cattails taller than us! We even came nose-to-nose with a deer with four buddies behind her. It was quite funny as I don’t know which of us was more surprised! After the shock of a human close enough to touch, they turned and went the other way.
Finally reaching the beach, we found the huge bolder and quietly sat down and waited for the show. Ron used his binoculars and I held my camera with a telescopic lens. Just as the ranger said, at exactly 6 a.m. the bald eagle flew into the bay to catch the fish. I took picture after picture. It was truly an experience of a lifetime and so surreal!
Later that day we headed back on the road and I started taking pictures of the scenery. Ron happened to ask me question about the film (this was back in the day before digital cameras) which prompted me to look at my camera. When I opened it, I could have cried. NOT ONE PICTURE HAD BEEN TAKEN. The little holes that would normally advance the film forward after each picture was taken, were torn! I was sick and learned a lesson in cameras that day.
The only pictures of that day are forever in my mind. The eagle was a magnificent fisherman; a beautiful thing to behold. A memory that I will treasure always.
Copyright 2017 Fran Kitchen
Operation Orphan Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. is a NOT FOR PROFIT agency. It is supported solely by donations, which are tax deductible, plus memberships and educational programs.
Photo Credit: David Swindler www.actionphototours.com
