Bald Eagle on a lofty perchBald Eagle on a lofty perch – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

I feel so very fortunate to be able to photograph wild Bald Eagles in Utah, Florida, Montana and beyond because we almost lost them and may have had it not been for Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring and the subsequent banning of the pesticide DDT in the U.S. in 1972.

Bald Eagles and other raptor populations have been able to bounce back. We have scores of scientists, biologists, environmentalists, concerned citizens, conservation-minded legislators, the EPA and Rachel Carson to thank for that.

As hundreds of Bald Eagles make their way to Utah to their wintering grounds here I can not imagine not hearing their calls, seeing them soar against the background of the Wasatch Mountains or not seeing them perched on the ice of Farmington Bay WMA or Bear River National Wildlife Refuge. I can not imagine not being able to raise my lens and see Bald Eagles through my viewfinder as a bird photographer and nature lover.

We owe a lot to those who worked hard on saving Bald Eagles from extinction.

Life is good.

Mia