Flight of the Eagle by Richard and Esther Provencher

8/13/2019 Flight of the Eagle by Richard and Esther Provencher

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A Young Reader story for ages 8-10

E-mail: [email protected]

www.wsprog.com/rp/

This resource is available for personal non-commercial use.Word Count 11!"1#


2/64

$%&'(T )$ T(E E*'%E+,

ichard Esther rovencher

0 211 *ll ights eserved

C(*TE )3E

*dam was 4uite e5cited as grandma6s car e5ited from highwa, 121. (e couldn6t wait

to see some eagles7 3ow all the, had to do was follow signs to the Eagle Watch wee8end

at Cannington! 3ova 9cotia.

riving past the new +ig 9top &rving station! his ten-,ear old e,es almost bugged

out. $lapping in the wind was a monster Canadian flag. &t must be the largest one in the

whole world.

;id,a see thatelanie as8ed! po8ing his shoulder. 9he continued

to point out the window! ignoring his 4uiet ;)uch.=

;on6t be such a bab,!= she said.


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;)8a,! now it6s m, turn. Eagle Watch sign7= *dam shouted. (e speared twelve-,ear

old >elanie with his sharpest fingernail.

;That hurt!= his sister! said. ;+esides! that6s not what & was tal8ing about! muscle

brain. The sign on the edge of the road has a drawing of an eagle.

;&t even loo8s li8e ,ou!= she teased.

*dam s4uee?ed his right fist tightl,. &t turned into a battering ram of bone and

muscle. )ne 8nuc8le stuc8 out! preparing to attac8.

&t was too much for seven-,ear old Colin. (e was nervous sitting in the middle of

two wrestlers. ;'ramma 'rampa. >a8e them stop.= (e usuall, didn6t sa, much.

ight now he was 4uite anno,ed.

Then >elanie reached over and slammed *dam. * good one landed right between

his shoulder blades. ;or8!= her tight-lipped mouth said.

;id ,ou have to 9>A9( me so hard


4/64

Three voices answered 4uic8l,! before ,ou could count to three. ;es7 es7 es7=

was their statement of truce. 3o one wanted to go home! bac8 to Truro. Their fun had

barel, begun.

>om and dad couldn6t ma8e it toda,. *nd the children didn6t want to sta, home with

a bab,sitter.

There was a large sign with a picture of an eagle and a printed message. Ever,one

read! ;&3$) 9T) D > *(E*.=

;& li8e the drawing!= grandma said.

;This one actuall, loo8s li8e an eagle!= grandpa answered.

;&s that reall, what a bald, eagle loo8s li8eelanie loo8ed around. ;(mmminteresting!= the, agreed. &t was the

children6s first trip to this part of the province.

;>ost people call this whole area! GThe Falle,!6 ; grandma said. &t was almost as if

she could read her grandchildren6s minds.

*s the, drove slowl, along the winding road! *dam noticed mounds of ha, covered

in plastic.

;3ot enough room for the ha, in the barn!= grandpa volunteered. The see-through-

material was held in place with tires scattered loosel, on top. *n orange-colored

Combine machine sat silentl, in the field.


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;&t6s waiting patientl, for the ne5t crop of wheat to be cut!= 'randma said! smiling in

*dam6s direction.

>ore GEagle Watch6 signs led them past the $irst Cornwallis Anited +aptist Church.

*nother right! then a left as the, drove into a small field. *n E*'%E &3$) bo5 provided

more detailed information.

'randpa pic8ed out a photocopied map of the area. There was also a paper

e5plaining wh, this wee8end was so special. &t reminded all tourists coming to see

eagles! to also enHo, the scener,. Ever,one was encouraged to drive to the G%oo8-)ff6 on

3orth >ountain. 'lowing words read! ;repare for a breathta8ing view of >inas +asin.=

;)nl, one map and information sheet left7= grandpa ,elled! hurr,ing bac8 to the

warm car. ;>ust be 4uite a crowd ahead of us!= he added.

;up!= Colin confirmed.

;& wish dad was here to see the eagles!= *dam said. (e wanted to see lots and lots

toda,.

;Too bad mom couldn6t be here too!= >elanie said.

* few 8ilometers later the, entered the little village of 9heffield >ills. %ong lines of

cars were par8ed on both sides of >iddle ,8e oad.

;9omeone around here sure 8nows how to draw!= grandma said. 9he nodded her

approval at the wooden 9heffield >ills sign.

;*nd paint too!= >elanie piped up. ;%oo8 how prett, the colored letters are!

grandma.=


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;3ot as nice as ,ours 'ramma!= Colin boasted.

;Well! than8 ,ou!= she answered.

;(urr, up. & Hust want to see a whole bunch of eagles!= *dam said. (e was getting

4uite impatient from their long ride.

;>e too!= Colin said. ;* whole bunch.=

;ou mean floc8s


7/64

C(*TE TW)

*dam could barel, hide his disappointment. The, were finall, here in 9heffield

>ills. 9o where were the eaglesanager at

9taples )ffice 9upplies.

>oving here from )ntario wasn6t 4uite as thrilling for *dam and >elanie. %eaving

good friends behind was more than painful.

Colin didn6t seem to mind though. (e 8new how to ma8e friends an,where. It must

be easier when youre a little kid! *dam thought.


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$inall,! a few months ago it had sun8 in. ;We6re moving to 3ova 9cotia7= was the

new famil, song. ;Where grandma and grandpa live77= the, had shouted. That was the

onl, good part at the time.

ight now grandma! grandpa! >elanie and Colin shivered beside him in the wind.

The, 8ept watching to see if he would shout out an, success.

;>, turn Gshrimp!6 = >elanie mumbled! grabbing at the binoculars.

;This must be the coldest da, in the whole ,ear!= *dam whined! handing them over.

(e couldn6t wait to grow taller! so he wouldn6t alwa,s have to loo8 up at his sister. &t was

hard on his nec8.

That6s what the, called him at school! ;9hrimp.=

;3ow-3ow!= grandma Esther usuall, said. )r else! she would cluc8 her tongue at

an, negative thin8ing. This time she didn6t do either. (er scrunched up e,es and

scowling face did all the tal8ing.


10/64

C(*TE T(EE

The, had left Truro at e5actl, D *>. The newspaper stor, said to be here earl, in

order to watch the eagles eat from food stations. *rea farmers placed leftover chic8ens

out for feeding around 12 *>.

&t was now fifteen minutes past. *nd the eagle tree that was supposed to be full of

eagles didn6t even have one visitor.

*dam wondered wh, the, were in such a big rush to get there. There was nothing to

see.


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;Time to get up!= grandma said earlier this morning. The words came the e5act

moment a ,o8e of sunshine warmed *dam6s e,elids.

(e was alwa,s proud of the fact he didn6t need an alarm cloc8 to wa8e up.

Especiall, to be going on such an e5citing trip. erhaps do?ens of them were waiting! Hust

for him. )ne of his main indoor hobbies was reading about animals! and birds. *nd

eagles7

The newspaper read that eagles in 9heffield >ills could be viewed up. eall, close!

but in safe range. *nd he 8new the, wouldn6t lie. Would the,elanie piped up! from her room this morning.

Ever,one said she had ears that could hear through steel doors. *dam 8new she was 4uite

smart! and nose, too.

;9ure...sure.= *ren6t all eagles around here bald


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Ever,one laughed! e5cept *dam. (e didn6t want an,one ma8ing fun of grandpa! nor

his eagles.

;&6m not bald! Hust mature!= grandpa added.

;&mmature bald eagles aren6t bald. The, also have lighter color in their wing linings.

*nd a shorter tail!= >elanie said matter-of-factl,.

;Where did ,ou learn all this< 'randma as8ed.

;*dam told me!= >elanie said proudl,. ;(e 8nows a lot about eagles.=

;& bet it has something to do with that proHect he did!= said grandma.

;Whatever!= >elanie answered.

;Eagles loo8 ali8e to me!= grandpa said. ;+ut & do enHo, watching them. That6s wh,

we want this to be a ver, special trip.=

;$or goodness sa8e!= grandma said. ;%et6s get going. %ast night & said we should get

to bed earl,. 3ow loo8 at the time.=

*dam was surprised how 4uic8l, the night had slipped b,. &t was li8e a shadow!

which bloc8ed out well laid plans.

ressing for the da,! then gobbling up brea8fast were bus, activities. *nd when

finished it was *dam who led the charge down the front steps. *fter all! he was the fastest

runner in his school age group.

)ne hundred and twent, 8ilometers later! the, arrived at the enned, farm in

9heffield >ills.


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C(*TE $)A

*dam6s binoculars were almost glued to his e,es. et! the eagle tree remained bare

as an icicle.


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(e carefull, viewed ever, inch of the tree. (e chec8ed for a hidden head or a folded

wing! an,thing. erhaps there was a feather caught in the elbow of a branch. 9adl,! there

was nothing.

;'randma!= *dam whined. ;Where are the,


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;es. The, ma, even come bac8. +ut right now the bris8 wind 8eeps them moving

around!= the stranger said.

The man was right. Wind, gusts 8ept hammering them. *dam had a hard time seeing

properl,. (is hot breath 8ept misting his binocular lenses. (e patientl, scanned the s8,.

;The, love to soar!= the man said. ;The, ride the thermals as high as the, can. &t

allows them to move upwards! as if shot from a cannon. Then the, glide downwards with

their massive wings.=

;>, name is %arr,!= *dam6s grandfather said! as he Hoined the group. ;ou alread,

met m, wife! Esther. These are m, grandchildren! >elanie and Colin. ou6ve alread,

been chatting with *dam. The,6re from %ondon! )ntario. ight now the,6re living with

us in 'lenholme. *t least until their new home is built.=

;Welcome to 3ova 9cotia! children7 &6m from armouth m,self. Iust call me!

Chuc8!= their new friend said.

;)8! Chuc8. (ave ,ou come here often


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;9hush!= grandpa said. ;We too8 them hi8ing around the province several times

alread,. The,6ve been to egg,6s Cove and the Cabot Trail.=

;ah. That was neat!= Colin said. ;(e, mister! can & use ,our telescope


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;ou should go then head upstairs!= the man said. ;There6s all 8inds of crafts! home

ba8ing. *nd videos on eagles=

;Eagles= was the magic word. *nd *dam was on full alert. ;%et6s go grandpa7= he

,elled. 9uddenl, the bo, was re-energi?ed.

The building was Hust a bloc8 awa,. Cars were lined up on both sides of the street

and the par8ing lot was full.

+ut the, clamored through the doorwa, an,wa,.


18/64

C(*TE $&FE

;9ure smells good7= the grandchildren shouted! passing a long lineup in the

downstairs doorwa,.

;(int. (int.= 'randma said with a smile as she followed her husband upstairs.

;Come on 8ids!= 'randpa challenged. ;ace ,ou.=

Three sets of snea8ers almost 8noc8ed their grandmother down as the, thundered

past.

)ne lad, said! ;ou want to see a real treasure of activit, upstairs.=

3ow the, entered a large room with a variet, of displa, tables. ictures! models and

even drawings of eagles were placed on tables and walls. *dam almost e5pected someone

to come b, with a pet eagle on a leash.

The children rushed around chec8ing out all displa,s. )f course! an assortment of

home ba8ed items easil, caught their e,e.

This is where *dam! the coo8ie monster had a little visit. +esides stamp collecting!

he and grandpa had a sweet tooth to satisf,. *nd a search began for peanut butter coo8ies!

grandpa6s favorite treat.

+ut something else in a corner of the room caught *dam6s e,e. * colorful video on

eagles was being shown7 (e was reall, e5cited as he sat down and listened intentl,.

E,ebrows were raised and lips puc8ered up in concentration.


19/64

The TF spea8er said clearl, and distinctl,! ;Eagles and ravens get along together.

Even though no one understands wh,.=

Colin Hoined >elanie visiting tables in the opposite end of the large room. This gave

*dam a chance to be alone at the video.

E,es bulging! he watched close-ups of eagles eating chic8ens. The, easil, tore

carcasses apart using their sharp talons and curved bea8s.

;$armers in this area speciali?e in raising pigs and chic8ens!= the TF moderator said.

;The, originall, set up food stations in this area twent, ,ears ago. 9ince then the si?e of

eagle floc8s have grown much larger.=

*dam soa8ed up this new information. (e was astonished to learn eagles came

mostl, from Cape +reton. *nd remembered the island from their recent trip with his

grandparents.

The Canso 9trait +ridge lin8ed it to the mainland. &t was an enHo,able ride of almost

22 8ilometers from Truro.

;We6ll come bac8 another time!= grandma had promised. ;*nd visit +addec8. id

,ou 8now that *le5ander 'raham +ell also invented the light bulb< There6s even a

museum in his honor.=

*dam reHoined his brother and sister after the video was completed.

;9o much to see!= >elanie said to *dam.

;up!= Colin agreed.


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The, were ama?ed how realistic ta5idermists were able to portra, eagles on perches.

Their large feet and wingspans were ;cool.= &t was a word used as the, moved around the

room.

Their e,es feasted on ever,thing.

*dam was li8e a sponge soa8ing up ever, spec8 of information about eagles. When

he loo8ed at his watch! he noticed time racing along. ;'randma'randpa< )8a, if & go

around! one more time


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*dam was surprised to learn about their strength! easil, carr,ing victims to their

nest. Asing a 8een sense of vision! eagles were easil, able to capture their pre,. $ish!

rodents! sna8es and even rabbits provided a tast, diet.

This video is a really neat! *dam thought. 3ow he could hardl, wait to get outside

and see some eagles in action.

C(*TE 9&J

Children and adults could hardl, believe how 4uic8l, the afternoon sped b,. *dam

saw onl, one eagle heading awa, from them.

&t was being chased b, what loo8ed li8e a raven. The, both flew up! down and

around li8e two children pla,ing tag.

;&t6s the same as & saw on the video!= *dam said! loo8ing intentl, through his

binoculars. 3ow he 8new for certain eagles and ravens were true friends. (e had seen it

with his ver, own e,es.

Imagine being friends with a majestic bald eagle. The thought sent shivers of

e5citement down *dam6s bac8.

9uddenl,! &t was Gstop and use the washroom time6! at a nearb, garage station. This

was followed b, a visit to the variet, store for treats.

;* few munchies for the trip home!= grandpa said.


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;+ut! it6s still earl,!= *dam pouted. ;(ow come we6re going alread,< We hardl, saw

an,thing!= he whined.

'randma and grandpa didn6t seem to hear him. *t least the, pretended not to! and

left *dam mumbling to himself.

The trip home was not something *dam loo8ed forward to. *ll this wa, and the,

hardl, saw an, eagles. ou reall, couldn6t count one as an,thing e5traordinar,. (e was

4uite disappointed.

(is chocolate bar seemed to lodge in his throat. *nd his feet began to sweat in his

winter boots.

;Cheer up!= >elanie said! feeling sorr, for her brother6s sadness. ;We did see a

whole bunch of seagulls.=

*dam figured 9is was teasing him. ;We came to see eagles7= he shouted.

+eing so bus, feeling down he didn6t reali?e their return route was a little different.

>elanie also missed sl, smiles from her grandparent6s faces. Colin didn6t notice an,

changes either.

(e was too bus, drin8ing his apple Huice.

The, drove through Cannington village. Then traveled on a traffic-free section of

highwa, alongside the *nnapolis iver. (ouses were mostl, wood with various colors

and newl, shingled roofs.

The children sat 4uietl, in the bac8 seat! absorbed in their thoughts.


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* few 8ilometers later the car slowed down at a sign that read! ;&3'9)T- b, the

9ea.=

+oth grandparents spo8e in whispers! as if sharing a secret.

*dam was curious. ;What6s up! grandpaelanie said. ;'randma< When are we going to

finall, get home


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+esides! ;fl,ing poop= birds as *dam li8ed to call them! messed up the shoreline.

(ow could an,one even have a picnic with them aroundelanie shouted.

;ah!= Colin added. ;(urr, up!= he said! putting his coat bac8 on.

*dam ?ipped his Hac8et all the wa, to his nec8. *fter pulling his cap tightl, on his

head he stepped into the cold wind. Woolen gloves made it aw8ward to raise the

;binoculars= in the direction grandpa had pointed to.

;The, loo8 li8enonot sea gulls!= he said slowl, as he adHusted the lenses.

=>a,be Hust crows or ravens. )rwhatever. There6re too far awa,. Time to go!= he said

deHectedl,! then turned and opened the car door.

;Chec8 again *dam!= grandpa encouraged. ;)ne more time! o8a,


25/64

C(*TE 9EFE3

*t that precise moment *dam sensed something behind him. * sudden movement

made him duc8 down. The huge bird swooped closel, over his head and headed towards

the river.

*dam barel, caught a glimpse of the eagle! as he gulped mouthfuls of air. 'iving a

few sha8es of its eight-foot wide wingspan! the eagle disappeared straight up into the s8,.

;'randpa7 'randma7 Ever,one77 *n eagle7 * bald headed eagle flew right over m,

head. %oo87 &t6s wa, up there7=


26/64

$amil, members raced to open windows. Then ga?ed an5iousl, in the direction of

his pointing. *ll the, could see were seagulls and what loo8ed li8e ravens fl,ing in all

directions.

&t was as if various floc8s had gathered for a picnic. )r even their preparing to

launch an attac8 on a school of fish in the river.

*dam swung his binoculars in a sweep across the hori?on. The wind that seemed so

cold before now simpl, brushed against his chee8s. &t was no more bothersome than a

pes8, mos4uito.

;(ere comes another floc8 of something!= he said to himself. ;(ard to see! though.

The,6re so man, fl,ing close together. robabl, more crows or ravens.=

(e spo8e loud enough so his voice could enter the partiall, opened car windows.

*dam6s words were more li8e announcements! 8eeping the famil, up to date on his

observations.

>elanie noticed smiles begin to spread on her grandparent6s faces.

Colin6s nose pressed tightl, against the window. (e was fascinated b, his brother6s

e5citement. *dam was li8e a ballet dancer! spinning and turning as he searched ever,

inch of the s8,.

'randpa turned to his wife! whispering loud enough so >elanie and Colin could

hear. ;& met an old friend at the recreation hall we left. (e said we should come here=


27/64

*dam wasn6t interested in pa,ing attention to an, conversation from the car. (is

e,es were too bus, growing large as saucers. The beat of his heart 4uic8ened. (e 8new

what was 4uic8l, fl,ing straight towards him.

The, were li8e a bunch of runawa, trains rushing in his direction.

;Eagles7= he shouted. ;(ol, cow! an arm, of them7 %oo8 >elanie. This is awesome.

Colin%oo87=

;Wow!= >elanie said! lowering her window! the cold no longer a bother.

;(otdog!= Colin said! slapping his hands together. Then he opened the car door and

Hoined his brother.

&n a few moments ever,one was outside! sharing the e5citement.

The eagles were so close no one needed binoculars. The famil, gathered around

*dam! who Humped up and down li8e a Hac8-in-a bo5. (e 8ept twirling his arms. *nd his

mouth had a hard time tr,ing to form words.

;(e,! give me those binoculars before ,ou drop them!= grandpa said laughingl,.

;%oo87 %))7= was all *dam could sa,.

(is enthusiasm stirred them all. *nd ever,one Hoined him Humping around! shouting!

;%))7 %))7=

Their movements did not bother the eagles. * do?en of them now soared overhead!

suddenl, ta8ing off straight up into the s8,. %i8e shooting arrows! the, disappeared into

the clouds.


28/64

*nd! Hust as 4uic8l, descended as falling bungee Humpers towards the surface of the

river.

* shuffle of wings and the, were off again! sweeping awa, in several directions. *s

if the, were part of an acrobatic high-fl,ing e5hibition.

+ald headed eagles flew singl, and in pairs tr,ing to out-perform each other.

The, danced li8e 8ites across the s8, with onl, a brief stretching of wings. These

magnificent birds rode the wind li8e s8ateboarders. The, floated li8e maple leaves in

autumn! drifting from branch to branch. Then shot up again! as if launched b, a ge,ser.

9omehow the, 8new their audience was thrilled from head to toe with their daring

antics. *dults and children couldn6t stop laughing and slapping each other on bac8s and

shoulders.

This was certainl, a special famil, treat. 3ow the children were reall, glad the,

moved to 3ova 9cotia7

*dam was pleased as a clam at high tide. (is sad thoughts about leaving for home a

while ago now a distant memor,. &nstead! he was wrestling with a new feeling. This one

was 4uite different.

(e was all cho8ed up. &n fact! he was so happ, he felt li8e cr,ing.

Emotions building up inside his chest were strange! ,et good at the same time. ;This

is reall, cool!= he said over and over. ;>an oh man! this is so neat. 'randma< Eh!

grandpa


29/64

;&t sure is grandson!= the, answered enHo,ing the glow on his face. The, came and

stood beside him.

>elanie was pleased for her brother. ;ou finall, got to see a whole stac8 of eagles!=

she said.

Colin was reall, happ,! too.

ight then and there *dam made a promise. ;l6ll never forget ever,thing & saw

toda,.=

(e watched the eagle floc8 moving on! heading somewhere else. )ne seemed to

linger! then turned towards him.

;)h! please come bac8. Iust one more time!= *dam said out loud.

The eagle gave a rapid flap of its wings and made a beeline for the bo,. &t allowed

*dam a chance to memori?e ever, e5citing detail of his new hobb,. (e was definitel,

going to learn ever,thing he could on his now favorite wildlife.

The bo,6s e,es moved across each of the feather, spread of wings. (e scanned its

full length! from protruding tail feathers to the tip of an open bea8. &ts dar8 e,es burned

into his memor,! li8e pools of energ,.

The male eagle6s shrie8 of freedom caused a parade of eerie chills to race up and

down *dam6s spine. The huge bird seemed to understand this little bo, was a friend.

With a might, sweep of la,ered feathers the eagle caught the rising wind. *nd the

magnificent bald eagle was sent speeding bac8 to his famil,. *dam followed ever,

movement with his binoculars.


30/64

&t headed in the direction of forest silhouettes on the far river shore.

9uddenl,! the image was gone.

C(*TE E&'(T


31/64

*dam couldn6t wait to share his wee8end news. +ut! on >onda, morning his school

chums weren6t ver, e5cited about eagle stories.

;ou should6ve seen the fantastic sights & saw!= *dam 8ept sa,ing. (e had never

seen eagles in )ntario. *nd here! wellthe, seemed in plentiful suppl,.

;That6s the problem!= his best friend aul said at recess. ;The,6re fl,ing around all

the time here. 9o wh, sa,! G)oh-la-la6 ever, time we spot one


32/64

;Cop,cat!= >elanie said with a smile. 9he had won in the same categor, several

,ears before.

;id ,ou win mone,assive branches spread out as two thic8

fingers. )ne 8ept brushing against the side of a sheer cliff.

;Their location is reall, cool!= he said.

An8nown to both bo,s! a huge male bald eagle was observing them. (e was on his

own eagle tree perch a little further down the valle,. iercing e,es could detect the

slightest movement even from that distance.


33/64

*dam learned much about eagles! from his friendship with aul. +ut right now he

could see two ,oung eagles po8ing heads from the nest.

(e wished he had the courage to climb up and loo8 inside. >a,be even pat one of

them. 3ow that would be the stor, of a lifetime. Iust thin8ing about it gave him goose

bumps.

Eagles had become *dam6s special bird of the forest. *nd aul6s famil, propert, was

his favorite eagle-watching place.

>other eagle observed them carefull,. *nd sensed the bo,s would never harm her

babies.

*fter a period of time! *dam became a familiar figure to the eagles. (e was eas, to

see! with his ,ellow bac8pac8 slung over his shoulders.

(e wished his brother and sister would come and see these sights.

;& don6t li8e the bugs!= >elanie answered. Colin preferred to sta, home and pla,

with his friends.

;*re ,ou coming! *dam


34/64

;E9997= returned as one voice. &t was nice being trusted to spend a few hours b,

the river. The bo,s were of the same age! and responsible enough to be left alone for a

few hours.

*fter that heart, run *dam was glad it was suppertime. (e didn6t mind when aul

won the race.

There was alwa,s the ne5t time.


35/64

ichard Esther rovencher K $light of the Eagle

C(*TE 3&3E

+, now *dam6s name was on ever,one6s lips at school. When he first arrived as ;the

new bo,= last 9eptember! he had to prove himself.

9tories of his wee8end6s adventure had made the rounds. (e had finall, gained a

place within the circles of conversation.

E5cept his new (onor oll included a nic8name. ;(e,! ;Eagle-bo,!= was first used

with chuc8les. Then it became Hust another name. To be honest! *dam rather li8ed it.

)thers were Healous of his newfound status. *nd the, made sure he 8new it. Those

who called him ;+irdie= or ;+ird-brain= intended to be nast,. There was a bit of Healous,

against this )ntario 8id who had moved here.

*t first the serious teasing bothered him. ;>om< ad< Wh, are the, calling me

those names


36/64


ad spilled his coffee.

'randma and grandpa laughed loudl,.

The others were unable to sa, a word. Colin6s suggestion was the best advice

ever,one had heard on the subHect of bull,ing.

;'reat idea7= *dam shouted. ;'randma< ) if & invite some of m, friends over

after schoolom had to go shopping. 'randma needed to do some ba8ing. *nd dad was

an5ious to review his store plans.

'randpa planned to sta, home and read.

;Colin< &6ll wal8 ,ou to school! )elanie said.; )h well! friends were waiting.

(er new pair of Heans should catch their attention.

$rom a large window in the living room! adults watched *dam. (e had his hand

on his little brother6s shoulder as the, strolled along. &f onl, the, could have seen the

spar8le in Colin6s e,es.

The ,ounger bo, tilted his head upwards proud of a brother li8e *dam.

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%ater that same night

;(e, man. These eagle feathers all ,ours< %))&T the si?e of them! W&%%*a,be

the, could ta8e turns. 9omeone to bring us and someone to come get us!= suggested Tim.

;3ah! no adults. %et6s Hust go for a wal8. Fer, far *damr. Williams owns a cottage there. >a,be have a swim after

chec8ing on the eagles.=

;9ounds o8a,.= the bo,s answered.

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lans were made! a food list drawn up and e5cited voices tal8ed about future trips

together. ;on6t forget the bathing suits7= someone shouted. Their planned trip created a

stronger lin8 between friends.

*dam was sure things were going to be a lot better in school.

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C(*TE TE3

9aturda, morning began with a warm bree?e. Each bo, wore Heans and a t-shirt. +are

arms! and faces were generousl, lathered with bug repellent. 9ome of it stung the corner

of *dam6s mouth.

'randpa %arr, warned him about putting on too much.

9un bloc8 ointment and the air of e5citement traveled with them in each car.

Ever,one6s dad was here. 'randpa too.

(aving the adults along was a change in plans. The men wanted to ta8e the bo,s to

another spot. This would add to *dam6s list of Eagle sighting locations.

+esides! there was alwa,s a ne5t time for the bo,s to go alone. 9tories about the

eagles at 9heffield >ills were on ever,one6s lips.

*n,wa, ,ou put it more of *dam6s friends were catching on to the thrill of eagle

watching. *dam 8new too man, had ta8en the bald eagles for granted.

*dam sat in the first car and loo8ed forward to their new destination.

The ladies decided to go shopping at +a,er6s %a8e oad mall! near (alifa5. The,

were in the third car.

The first two cars soon turned right off (ighwa, L12M! heading north on $ort Ellis

oad. +ut not before the, stopped at a variet, store for munchies. op! chips and

chocolate bars were 4uic8l, passed across the counter.

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+efore long! smooth driving on asphalt turned onto a bump,! graveled road. Cho8ing

dust flew behind the first car! almost hiding the second. &solated houses were more li8e

,ear round cottages. The, loo8ed li8e sailboats drifting through a mist, morning.

+, now! the radio was humming! 8eeping pace with the car tires.

Up ahead, a pair of eagles flew low over treetops. They might have been on a little

flying hike of their own instead hunting for their daily !uest of food. Massive wings

moved eagerly as the pair longed for a taste of wild rabbit meat. " bree#e filtered

through layered feathers. They were more like arrows cutting through wispy clouds.$oth eagles were silent as shadows sweeping up, down, then sideways in flight. They

were heading for a favorite location.

*fter driving into a small par8ing lot! the bo,s noticed an observation shelter

alongside the 9tewiac8e iver. &t had a large built-in picnic table able to accommodate

ever,one.

ac8s were ta8en from car trun8s. *nd water bottles as well as food parcels placed in

cool shadows. The eagle watchers wanted to hide their lunch and snac8s from penetrating

ra,s of warm sunlight.

Treats were passed around! with ever,one ta8ing a comfortable position. Each was

paired off in order to share one set of binoculars. There were three bo,s! three fathers and

two grandfathers.

*nd four NJO2 ;'lasses= as some people called them.

Each watched eagerl,! wanting to be first to see eagles in action. Eight sets of e,es

peered through newl, cleaned lenses. >agnifications moved rapidl, from Gclose6 to

Gdistance6 and bac8 again.

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Farious ma8es and models of binoculars aimed at the hori?on. The, swung from side

to side! up and down the river. Even focusing above the treetops on the opposite shore!

hoping to catch sight of a pri?e.

*dam searched the woods for an eagle nest similar to the one on aul6s propert,. The

e5citement of the moment tempted to begin chewing his nails.

9uddenl,! there the, were. ,an and his dad were first to spot the pair! cruising Hust

below the far tree line. %aunched b, a burst of wind! two dots of blac8 came swiftl,

towards them! unaware of the watchers.

Waiting people tried not to move unnecessaril,. The, began to follow ever,

movement with e,es and binoculars. *n5ious men and bo,s were bathed in their own

e5citement.

The huge birds of pre, 8ept coming closer.

*nd closer.

*dam had the same burst of feelings he e5perienced at ingsport +, the 9ea. (e felt

lightheaded! unable to move! barel, breathing. (e hoped his hammering heart wouldn6t

scare awa, these beautiful creatures.

*lthough the eagles were able to pic8 out their visitors! the, appeared unconcerned.

There was no sense of danger. The huge birds were onl, interested in see8ing a snac8.

$ish movements in the 9tewiac8e iver below now teased them.

(owever! the male bald eagle noticed something familiar. * ,ellow bac8pac8. es! it

was the ,oung one b, the river! who often watched his nest.

*s far as the huge eagle was concerned! *dam was a friend.

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Is the man%child following me&The bird wondered.

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C(*TE E%EFE3

"dam would have traded in his eagle collection to see this eagle tree.

The mature male bald eagle was perched on his favorite loo8out. &t was a 4uarter

mile from its nest on aul6s famil, propert,.

$rom here! he could see a long distance. *nd protect his nest! if necessar,.

)nce this tree was a tall maple with flowing branches. rotection from flowing

branches once provided shelter for ruffed grouse. Especiall, when pursued from prowling

co,otes.

Anfortunatel, new generations of partridge had to rel, on other hideouts.

* bolt of lightning lit up the s8,! pointing its finger of destruction at the proud tree.

&n one split second! a large section of its top was splintered.

&n a few seasons! the wind tumbled the bro8en section noisil, to the ground. +ut the

remainder of the maHestic tree continued to survive. &t rested alone and unused! no longer

able to provide refuge to wildlife.

Even s4uirrels were unable to race along its tall length. &t was now onl, a memor, of

a beautiful tree that grew on the slope of a steep hill.

The tear of seasons further ravaged the damaged tree. &ce and snow forced their wa,

into the ripped bar8 and split trun8. )ver a long period of time! sunlight bore down and

warmed the outside of the wood.

*nd it6s bleached form stood out from the surrounding green forest.

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&t certainl, was not prett, to loo8 at. +ut! it stood strong as steel. &t had been honed

into a stubborn part of the landscape. *nd awaited some useful purpose.

*dam was Hust a tin, bab, when it was first discovered.

)ne da, a rustling of massive wings hesitated as it hovered overhead. iercing e,es

chec8ed out the bone white landing ?one. &n that moment! a huge bald headed eagle

decided to christen it with its presence.

$or the eagle! it was a perfect perch. $rom here! his e,es could easil, scan the valle,

below. (is nest was far to the left. Tumbling along the base of the hill a river twisted li8e

a rope through the thic8 forest.

9pecial e,es could spot an, movement along the shore. (e could even notice fish

movements lur8ing below the water, surface. When hunger came 8noc8ing! it was Hust a

short distance to being satisfied.

Each da, became a ritual! settling here! resting and watching.

This was the place from which the bald eagle first spotted *dam and his ,ellow

bac8pac8. (e 8new the man-child presented no danger to his nest.

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C(*TE TWE%FE

;3E*T)= *dam was e5cited another 9aturda, had finall, arrived.

%ast night grandma and grandpa said the, wanted to go for a ride in

the countr,.

;We have to do some shopping too!= mom said.

*dam had a hard time pretending he didn6t 8now about their surprise. The bo,

Humped out of bed and ran to the window. (e wanted to shout for all to hear.

+ut he whispered more to himself. ;aul and & are going to watch eagles toda,! all b,

ourselves.=

;999(77= >elanie called from the hallwa,. ;o ,ou want to spoil their surprise< &

shouldn6t have told ,ou an,how.= 9ecretl,! she was glad she told. These da,s he seemed

to be the famil, favorite! Hust because he won that award.

&t was rather sill, to be Healous of the attention *dam received! him and those eagles .

>a,be she shouldn6t be so upset at what her little brother had accomplished.

*fter all! she alread, had her own roomful of awards.

;(e, 9is!= *dam said from around the corner. ;Come here! & want to show ,ou

something. Buic8.=

;Wh, should &elanie reall, didn6t li8e using that tone of voice. (ow could she sa, no! when it

seemed m,sterious< ;*ll right! then!= she said with a shrug.

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9he wondered wh, he loo8ed so serious! chewing the end of his pencil.

;& made this for ,ou!= he said! pushing his chair bac8.

>elanie moved closer! almost afraid it might be a trap. (e was probabl, read, to

Hump up and sa,! ;'otcha.=

;What is itelanie was so astonished! she almost passed out. 9he couldn6t believe the 8indness

of his gift. 9tartled! she shoo8 her head! hardl, believing he would do this! for herista8es were not normal for this bird

of pre,. &ts talons were full, stretched beneath strea8ing wings.

%uc8il, for the intended target! the eagle missed its mar8.

9plashing and eagle screeching covered both shores. Then momentum carried it to

the bottom of the river.

*dam and aul were 4uite worried as the eagle thrashed about. &t was furious at

missing its intended target. The angr, creature plowed noisil, through the water to the

opposite shore.

The huge bird was drenched. *nd shoo8 itself in bursts of flapping wings. The

eagle 8new how an5ious the female eagle would be. *nd the babies! hungr, and

impatient! waiting for more lunch.

*dam6s e,es enlarged as he gobbled up the scene before him. aul simpl, stared!

unable to move or spea8.

&magine! an eagle plunging into the river. *nd right in front of them7

&t lurched around the shore! burdened b, the weight of wet feathers. 3ot reall, a

comical moment! since it resembled a sogg, blan8et

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>ore shrie8s traveled up and down the river. 9ha8ing its head! the eagle cleared

water from ears and lungs. The eagle didn6t li8e being unable to ma8e a 4uic8 escape into

the waiting s8,.

Talons dug deepl, in the sand, shore. Wings flapped desperatel,. The eagle was

an5ious to dr, off as 4uic8l, as possible.

*dam felt sorr, for the father eagle! thin8ing he had let his eaglets down. '(oor

eagle,)he thought. ;*o fishy snack today.=

Then he had an idea. *dam dug in his fishing creel and pulled out the rainbow

trout he caught before aul arrived. This was a ;8eeper= he had planned to show off.

&t would ma8e a nice meal on his 8itchen table. ;What do ,ou thin8! aul


52/64


erhaps this is what inspired the bo, for his act of braver,. The magnificent bald

eagle was far enough awa,! not placing him in danger. 9o *dam approached the river6s

edge! onl, thirt, feet separating bo, and eagle.

The, stared at each other.

The bo, could sense each pulse of energ, radiating from the other side. %eaning its

head to one side! the bald eagle somehow 8new the bo, meant no harm. (e was Hust a

little gu,. *nd carried something ,ellow on his bac8.

*dam was careful not to get too close to the current. &t flowed swiftl, between

large boulders on either side.

(e hoped the eagle thought of him as a friend.

The wild bird 8ept flapping its wings slowl,! li8e some huge fan. Constant

movement assisted the warm sun in rapidl, dr,ing out his feathers.

With a might, swing! *dam sent his trout sailing over the river. &t landed a few feet

in front of the eagle. *t first the bird Humped up in alarm. Then noticed the bo, was not

coming an, closer.

There was no danger from this man-child.

&ts wings 8ept flapping slowl,! intricate feathers Hust about dr,.

9uddenl,! one might, swipe grabbed the nice si?ed trout. owerful talons held

tightl, as the bird lifted gracefull, and headed towards the famil, nest.

The sun warmed the ground sufficientl, to produce a thermal.

3ow the bo,s followed the eagle6s ascent! their throats in a 8not.

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*dam6s chest pounded against his ribcage. ;This is awesome7 Wait till & tell

grandpa!= he said.

;ah! man7= aul shouted! giving his chum a high five.

*dam was thrilled to have the opportunit, to enHo, this propert, owned b, the

$ishers. ;Than8s aul!= he said! ;for bringing me here.=

;&t6s o8a,!= aul answered! overcome b, the sights he Hust witnessed.

The bo,s cleaned the area from cand, wrappers! and several pop cans. This was a

special place and should remain in a natural state. *fter one last loo8 at the eagle6s nest!

the, headed bac8 down the trail.

&t was nice 8nowing the father eagle had a meal for his famil,.

*dam6s watch indicated his parents should be at the road b, now. ;aul! &6m reall,

glad ,ou were here to see ever,thing!= he said. (e whistled a happ, tune.

* bright ,ellow bac8pac8 Higgled on his shoulders.

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C(*TE $)ATEE3

The ne5t da, during brea8fast! *dam6s mom brought up something reall, interesting.

9he overheard someone tal8ing about a friend who tried to capture an eagle.

9uddenl, the bo,6s interest was on full alert.

;emember the eagle ,ou saw land in the water! *dam< his mom as8ed.

;(ow could & ever forget


55/64


C(*TE $&$TEE3

)ne careless moment was all it too8 on such a nice 9aturda, morning. 3ot long ago

*dam had been on dr, land as he sighted through grandpa6s Gglasses.6

The, were an e5cellent 4ualit,! especiall, with their wide-angle lenses.

&t didn6t matter now as water pressed in around him.

&t might have been fun if he had his bathing suit on! or to be wading in the shallow

part of the river. +etter still! if ever,one had simpl, come for a picnic! to get cooled off.

*t least it would be their choice.

E5cept this wasn6t funn,! not at all. &f onl, aul could have come right awa,

instead of later with his parents. (e was such a good swimmer and with him here! *dam

might not be in this pic8le.

>om and dad said the bo,s had been ver, responsible last wee8. 9o this wee8 was a

repeat. &t didn6t seem li8e such a big deal to be left alone! until aul got here.

+ut aul didn6t show up for the last couple of hours. &n the meantime *dam fished

and roamed around.

(e was now pa,ing the price for getting too close to the edge. 'randpa said to be

careful around the river. +ut *dam was careless and stood too close as he watched the

nest.

When the ban8 gave awa,! grandpa6s warning was remembered. The slide down

the roc8, slope into the fast flowing river reall, hurt. (is arm ended up smac8ing against

a roc8.

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*dam even lost one running shoe tr,ing to scramble up the mudd, slope. Then

the current gathered him up li8e a cor8 and began to float the bo, downstream.

(e tried to fight the flow of water but it tired him out. Than8full, the current

wasn6t roaring along li8e a speeding racecar.

(owever it was full of swirls. *nd *dam spent too much energ, tr,ing to avoid

going around in circles. 'ood thing dad taught him how to swim. +ut this current was

ver, strong. Each time he almost made it to shore! the curving water too8 him in another

direction.

;(elllpp7 (elllpp7= he managed to sa,! each time! water splashed against his

mouth.+eep it closed. +eep your cool. $reathe through your nose. The series of

commands bounced around his thoughts.

;)uch7 That hurt.= (is shoeless right foot 8ept banging against roc8s hiding below

the water, current.

(e saw where he once stood. )nl, a short distance awa,! it was safe and sound.

*nd dr,. *s he tossed and turned! the safe shore seemed li8e a memor,.

*dam6s water-filled e,es could barel, see the surrounding forest of green.

;aaad7 'randpaaa7 aaaul7 Where *aare ,ou


57/64


Ears tuned in to the commotion not far awa,. &t did not have the same melod, of his

eaglets or mate. The sound was human7

The predator sensed fear and terror. &t was the same as when one of his babies cried

out.

(e shuffled to the edge of the branch then plunged into the air. * thermal captured

his wide-spaced wings and the bird soared upwards.

Circling in a might, loop the bald-headed eagle headed for the river.

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C(*TE 9&JTEE3

Two hurr,ing adults burst through the foliage. *dam6s father was ,ounger and faster.

(is new snea8ers almost flew across the moss, trail.

>oisture warmed 4uic8l, as sweat, feet splashed through mudd, puddles.

'randpa was not far behind.

The, had heard *dam6s cries as the, were par8ing the car. *t first the, thought he

was calling someone. erhaps a school chum was visiting from a nearb, farm.

The, 8new it wasn6t aul. (e and his parents had Hust returned from their sugar bush

camp. When ever,thing was e5plained! panic set in. The, had left a ten-,ear old bo,! for

a few hours. &t was a wa, of showing trust for someone as mature as *dam.

$ut being left alone by the river was a horrible thought bouncing around in their

minds. The enormit, of what might have happened suddenl, hit them. The, ran faster.

The last time the, saw their precious son and grandson was several hours ago. The,

had watched him heading down the trail! eager to search for eagles. 'randpa even loaned

his e5pensive binoculars.

9o! what was wrong with leaving him alone< &t was safe enough there. Their man,

trips had proved that. 9urel, *dam hadn6t planned on going swimmingust

be runoff from last night6s downpour!= *dam6s dad said.

The water was churning.

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+oth adults 4uestioned wh, the, had allowed *dam to be on his own. ;ou have to

trust me!= the bo, had stated. es! he was old enough to be allowed responsibilit,.

;aul is going to be dropped off b, his parents in about fifteen or twent, minutes!=

grandpa had said. ;The same as last wee8.=

*nd so the bo, had set off along the trail! which was no more than O22 feet to the

river. The adults proudl, saw he was unafraid of being alone in the woods.

3othing could happen.

)r! so the, thought.

&n fact! the, had snea8ed down to chec8 ever,thing was fine. *t that time! *dam had

been singing to himself while l,ing on his tumm,. (is binoculars were pointing s8,ward.

9car, sounds now forced their wa, through the trees. ;(elp7 (elp->EEE77 was

coming from someone in trouble. 3ow the, 8new for sure it was *dam. *nd he definitel,

was in trouble.

Their thoughts were confirmed as the, rushed to the shoreline. Where was heills! to see the Eagle6s Watch wee8end. &t

was so awesomeQ ichard began ta8ing notes. * ,oung girl of ten as8ed wh, he waswriting and when told about a boo8 was to be she said! ;'ood. There are no stories about

eagles in our librar,.= RThis boo8 ,oung lad, was written for ,ouS.

"

Documents

Flight of the Eagle by Richard and Esther Provencher