IT IS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM. The bald eagle. And on this Fourth of July morning, Randy and I watched a juvenile eagle for some 20 minutes at the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in Faribault.
Bird whisperer Randy first spotted the large bird across the green atop a Suburban parked in a row of seven vehicles next to Mott Hall. From that distance, its identity was indistinguishable. We only knew that this was a large bird of prey.
We headed west, aiming to get a closer look while also keeping our distance. On the lawn outside Pollard Hall, just across the street from the bird’s vehicle hang-out, we watched for some 20 minutes.
Randy snapped photos with his phone. I’d left my Canon camera at home as this was simply supposed to be a walk around campus and a place to do my physical therapy exercises. Not a photo opp.
We studied, considered, debated. Hawk? Or juvenile eagle? In the end, based on shape, coloring, screeching voice and clumsiness, we decided that this was a juvenile eagle. It showed no fear of us while it flew down the row of vehicles onto the roofs of five mini vans and two Suburbans. When it reached the last vehicle, the Suburban nearest us, we crossed the street for a closer look. Randy snapped more pictures.
Eventually, the eagle took flight behind Mott Hall toward the woods. But then Randy would soon spot it again, this time in a tree with many dead branches. The eagle perched there, eating its late breakfast. A squirrel. I refused to look. I understand this is the natural world, but I’d rather not watch.
What started as just a routine walk on Faribault’s east side became so much more. An opportunity to observe America’s symbol of freedom up close on the Fourth of July.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
That is amazing! Talk about signs and symbols
Yes, of all days for that eagle to appear…we’ve walked at MSAD many times. It’s such a lovely, peaceful campus.
I worked night security there for many years. I would see a lot of wildlife. The baby foxes behind Mott Hall were always fun as was the mother who would come out and sit next to the Suburban I was sitting in and look off across the playing field in front of us. I miss all the deer as well. It was such a peaceful job.
That’s a whole lot of wildlife. I love the MSAD campus for its peacefulness, easy walking and beautiful aged architecture. What a wonderful environment in which to work.
I liked working at the blind campus as well.It was a lot smaller then the deaf campus. Rumor has it that they will combining the two due to declining enrollment. Then the Blind campus will go to the prison. Which app makes good sense to me.
That’s interesting, that you’ve heard the campuses may be merging. That kind of makes sense based on the new construction happening at MSAD. I wondered why all those new buildings were needed. Time will tell, I guess.
He’s gorgeous!
We were pretty excited to observe this eagle.
How Cool! Love birds and seeing them in action (not so much eating action – can get gross). I have been spotting Mama Cardinals lately – at the park – there one swooped in – at the hardware store – another flew on by me . . . Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
I’ve seen our resident cardinal often in the past few days also. This morning we were back walking at MSAD and Randy said, “I hear the eagle.” Eventually I did also. Then we spotted it high in a pine, eating breakfast.
So cool to watch them in action! They have a distinct call and then of course love hearing the cardinals sing – makes me happy 🙂
We’ve really enjoyed this eagle. And the eagles on Horseshoe Lake south of Crosslake. Just returned home after five days at a family member’s lake cabin. Much needed.
I love the colors and pattern of his feathers. Beautiful. I’m so glad eagles have made a come back!
I feel the same about eagles. I see them often now.
Cool sighting.
That it was.