The eagle has landed A

few weeks ago one of our Bethel University interns, Sebastian Studier, reported the story of a distressed young eagle who was rescued by local falconoer Frank Taylor and brought to the U of M Raptor Center. The eagle is believed to have strayed from it's nest and was found partially spread out on the ground, showing signs of overheating, dehydration and trouble eating. Once the Raptor Center took in the eagle, they ran a series of tests to make sure it was free of viruses and parasites and then began the process of recovery. Once the raptor was strong enough to be released, the center coordinated with Taylor and the landowner for a release. Friday morning we received a call from Taylor that the eagle would be released Friday night, dependent on weather. We picked up Paul Dols and a few local residents by pontoon and kept in touch with Taylor, who was on another pontoon with staff from the Raptor Center. We were surprised to see two large, soft-sided crates on their boat, and learned the Raptor Center brought along another orphaned juvenile eagle they planned to rehome with the other one. Apparently eagles are known to take in stray babies.

We watched from about 100 feet away as the team cleared brush and prepped a low lying tree as a possible perch for the young eagles. The first eagle was released and flew about chest height right at us before circling back and landing right back where it was rescued from. We were in such awe that most of us missed the release of the second eagle, which quickly hid in the trees.

We have been in contact with the landowner and have learned that the eagle parents have been circling the area and seen with fish in tow. It seems the release is off to a good start.

If you're interested in raptors, check out the good work being done by the Raptor Center. If you ever encounter a raptor in need, keep a safe distance and call the Raptor Center durring regular business hours 612-624-4745; they also have an emergency after hours link on their website. As always when out enjoying nature, hiking, biking, boating or birding, it is critical to respect wildlife, as well as private property. We hope readers enjoy the photos online at presspubs.com.

Carter Johnson is the publisher of Press Publications.