Today as I drove home from work I saw the shadow of a bird fly overhead. I don’t know what compelled me to stop the car and drive back to the point where I had seen the bird, but I’m so glad I did. It’s pretty obvious from the title of my post, the bird was an eagle that had landed in a lake along the side of the road.

As I peered at this marvelous bird of prey I was awe struck and thrilled. After watching from the car for approximately 10 minutes I decided I would take a chance and get out of my car to get a closer look. The eagle never moved. It simply stood on a stump perched over the water and looked at me as if to say, “Yes, I own this lake and the land surrounding it. I belong.”

Soon, other cars pulled over along side the road. As people realized that I was staring at the lake for a reason, they quietly got out of their cars, whispered hushed tones of delight, pulled out cameras, and asked strangers to send photos their way. Despite all the quiet commotion, the eagle remained stationery, dipping his beak in the water from time to time. The air was crisp, the sky was clear. The sun glimmered over the water as it began to lower across the horizon of the lake. Eventually people returned to their cars and drove off. I was left alone with “my eagle” once again as I marveled at my good fortune, found peace with nature, and wondering how many majestic moments in my life had passed by unnoticed.

I stop for Eagles. I belong.


Several years ago I created an eagle website. I updated it this evening to honor “my eagle.” I hope you too will take time to stop for eagles.

Click on the screenshot to visit my Celebrating the American Bald Eagle site.

By the way, the photo included in this post was sent to me by a kind soul who carries a camera so that he can record the “eagle moments” of his life.