Mating For Life

We have leased a campsite at our RV park for 13 years now.  In 2005, Bald Eagles were rare on Lake Ontario.  Our first sighting took a good couple of years.  Wikipedia had reported that there were no longer eagles on the south shore.  However, at that point, they had already begun to make a come back.  Each weekend or time we spend at camp, we watch for a fly-by.  This year, we have been greatly rewarded.  Sightings have been numerous and we have even found an active nest.  Coming off three days at the lake, we now have a bigger collection of eagle pictures.

Like Mr. and Mrs. Murphy, eagles mate for life.  That is impressive, considering modern statistics put the human divorce rate at around 50%.  Eagles are on to something, as divorce is a great way to mess up life.  It is an extra treat when we see a couple or a family of eagles.  It's pretty safe to assume this is either a couple or parent and child, as they were flying together and willing to share the same tree.

While we have seen Gold Eagles along the lake, it's likely these are both Bald.  The species cannot cross-mate.  Bald Eagles eat fish (hence, why Lake Ontario is a great environment), Gold Eagles eat mammals (we do have tons of critters like chipmunks, possums and the like).

Bald Eagles in the wild live to be between 20 - 30 years old.  While it's possible that a couple might live to be together 30 years, it's not very likely.

We celebrate our 30th anniversary today.  Beating the odds of the high divorce rate has never been a fear.  Finding someone to spend a lifetime with is a wonderful thing -- whether you're human or eagle!