Flight of the Eagle novel (Chap. 10-12)

CHAPTER TEN

 

Saturday morning began with a warm breeze. Each boy wore jeans and a t-shirt. Bare arms and faces were generously lathered with bug repellent. Some of it stung the corner of Adam’s mouth.

Grandpa Larry warned him about putting on too much.

            Sun block ointment and the air of excitement traveled with them in each car. Everyone’s dad was here. Grandpa too.

Having the adults along was a change in plans. The men wanted to take the boys to another spot. This would add to Adam’s list of Eagle sighting locations.

Besides, there was always a next time for the boys to go alone. Stories about the eagles at Sheffield Mills were on everyone’s lips.

Anyway you put it more of Adam’s friends were catching on to the thrill of eagle watching. Adam knew too many had taken the bald eagles for granted.

Adam sat in the first car and looked forward to their new destination.

The ladies decided to go shopping at Bayer’s Lake Road mall, near Halifax. They were in the third car.

The first two cars soon turned right off Highway #104, heading north on Fort Ellis Road. But not before they stopped at a variety store for munchies. Pop, chips and chocolate bars were quickly passed across the counter.

Before long, smooth driving on asphalt turned onto a bumpy, graveled road. Choking dust flew behind the first car, almost hiding the second. Isolated houses were more like year round cottages. They looked like sailboats drifting through a misty morning.

By now, the radio was humming, keeping 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 quest of food. Massive wings moved eagerly as the pair longed for a taste of wild rabbit meat. A breeze filtered through layered feathers. They were more like arrows cutting through wispy clouds. Both eagles were silent as shadows sweeping up, down, then sideways in flight. They were heading for a favorite location.

 

After driving into a small parking lot, the boys noticed an observation shelter alongside the Stewiacke River. It had a large built-in picnic table able to accommodate everyone.

Packs were taken from car trunks. And water bottles as well as food parcels placed in cool shadows. The eagle watchers wanted to hide their lunch and snacks from penetrating rays of warm sunlight.

Treats were passed around, with everyone taking a comfortable position. Each was paired off in order to share one set of binoculars. There were three boys, three fathers and two grandfathers.

And four 7X50 “Glasses” as some people called them.

Each watched eagerly, wanting to be first to see eagles in action. Eight sets of eyes peered through newly cleaned lenses. Magnifications moved rapidly from ‘close’ to ‘distance’ and back again.

Various makes and models of binoculars aimed at the horizon. They swung from side to side, up and down the river. Focusing above the treetops on the opposite shore, they hoped to catch sight of a prize.

Adam searched the woods for an eagle nest similar to the one on Paul’s property. The excitement of the moment tempted to begin chewing his nails.

Suddenly, there they were. Ryan and his dad were first to spot the pair, cruising just below the far tree line. Launched by a burst of wind, two dots of black came swiftly towards them, unaware of the watchers.

Waiting people tried not to move unnecessarily. They began to follow every movement with eyes and binoculars. Anxious men and boys were bathed in their own excitement.

The huge birds of prey kept coming closer.

And closer.

Adam had the same burst of feelings he experienced at Kingsport By the Sea. He felt lightheaded, unable to move, barely breathing. He hoped his hammering heart wouldn’t scare away these beautiful creatures.

Although the eagles were able to pick out their visitors, they appeared unconcerned. There was no sense of danger. The huge birds were only interested in seeking a snack.

Fish movements in the Stewiacke River below now teased them.

However, the male bald eagle noticed something familiar; a yellow backpack. It was the young one by the river, who often watched his nest.

As far as the huge eagle was concerned, Adam was a friend.

Is the man-child following me? The bird wondered.

 

 

CHAPTER ELEVEN

 

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

The mature male bald eagle was perched on his favorite lookout. It was a quarter mile from its nest on Paul’s family property.

From here, he could see a long distance. And protect his nest, if necessary.

Once this tree was a tall maple with flowing branches. Protection from flowing branches once provided shelter for ruffed grouse. Especially when pursued from prowling coyotes.

Unfortunately new generations of partridge had to rely on other hideouts.

A bolt of lightning lit up the sky, pointing its finger of destruction at the proud tree. In one split second, a large section of its top was splintered.

In a few seasons, the wind tumbled the broken section noisily to the ground. But the remainder of the majestic tree continued to survive. It rested alone and unused, no longer able to provide refuge to wildlife.

Even squirrels were unable to race along its tall length. It was now only a memory of a beautiful tree that grew on the slope of a steep hill.

The tear of seasons further ravaged the damaged tree. Ice and snow forced their way into the ripped bark and split trunk. Over a long period of time, sunlight bore down and warmed the outside of the wood.

And it’s bleached form stood out from the surrounding green forest.

It certainly was not pretty to look at. But, it stood strong as steel. It had been honed into a stubborn part of the landscape. And awaited some useful purpose.

Adam was just a tiny baby when it was first discovered.

One day a rustling of massive wings hesitated as it hovered overhead. Piercing eyes checked out the bone white landing zone. In that moment, a huge bald headed eagle decided to christen it with its presence.

For the eagle, it was a perfect perch. From here, his eyes could easily scan the valley below. His nest was far to the left. Tumbling along the base of the hill a river twisted like a rope through the thick forest. 

Special eyes could spot any movement along the shore. He could even notice fish movements lurking below the watery surface. When hunger came knocking, it was just a short distance to being satisfied.

Each day became a ritual, settling here, resting and watching.

            This was the place from which the bald eagle first spotted Adam and his yellow backpack. He knew the man-child presented no danger to his nest.

 

 

CHAPTER TWELVE

 

“NEATO” Adam was excited another Saturday had finally arrived.

Last night grandma and grandpa said they wanted to go for a ride in

the country.

“We have to do some shopping too,” mom said.

Adam had a hard time pretending he didn’t know about their surprise. The boy jumped out of bed and ran to the window. He wanted to shout for all to hear.

But he whispered more to himself. “Paul and I are going to watch eagles today, all by ourselves.”

“SSSH!!” Melanie called from the hallway. “Do you want to spoil their surprise? I shouldn’t have told you anyhow.” Secretly, she was glad she told. These days he seemed to be the family favorite, just because he won that award.

It was rather silly to be jealous of the attention Adam received, him and those eagles. Maybe she shouldn’t be so upset at what her little brother had accomplished.

After all, she already had her own roomful of awards.

“Hey Sis,” Adam said from around the corner. “Come here, I want to show you something. Quick.”

“Why should I?” she asked, sarcasm in her voice.

”Oh, come on. Please.”

Melanie really didn’t like using that tone of voice. How could she say no, when it seemed mysterious? “All right, then,” she said with a shrug.

She wondered why he looked so serious, chewing the end of his pencil.

“I made this for you,” he said, pushing his chair back.

Melanie moved closer, almost afraid it might be a trap. He was probably ready to jump up and say, “Gotcha.”

“What is it?” she dared to ask. Her brother seemed sincere enough. Then she noticed a drawing of an eagle swooping across the sky.

As if reading her thoughts he answered, “I made for you. But I wasn’t sure if you wanted to have the eagle sitting on a branch. Or maybe just flying around.”

Adam looked up at her solemnly.

Melanie was so astonished, she almost passed out. She couldn’t believe the kindness of his gift. Startled, she shook her head, hardly believing he would do this, for her?

After all the times she had been so mean? She swiped at a moisture beginning in one corner of her eye. Sometimes, tears represented sadness. But this was a tear of happiness.

“Why…it’s beautiful, Adam. I like it flying around in the sky, high up and free. Just the way you made it,” she added.

Then she snatched up the drawing. And rushed from the room before she bawled in front of him.

“I figured you’d pick the ‘flying’ idea,” Adam said. He wondered where his sister was going in such a hurry.           

Now, he’d better get ready for the day. And pretend not to know anything about the surprise trip. Adam liked living in this huge house in the country, at least until theirs was built.

Having a great grandma and grandpa was nice too.

Especially having a sister like Melanie. Colin was cool too.

Adam was feeling really happy today. He looked up at the sky and gave a large smile. He tried to imitate Colin’s crooked face smile. But he couldn’t.

He just knew something very important was going to take place today.

It didn’t take long for breakfast to be over. Soon, the car was moving along the highway towards Bass River. It was heading in the right direction Adam chuckled to himself.

“Guess where we’re going?” Grandma asked.

“Maybe to see the eagles again,” Adam said, trying to act innocent.

“Yes. We aren’t but you are, and your friend Paul. It was to be a little surprise, but you’re too smart for us.”

“Thanks. Thanks a lot,” Adam said. 

“This time we’re going to leave you by yourself. Maybe about half an hour until Paul’s parents bring him. It will be a chance to be alone with your eagles.”

“Remember,” mom said, “you’ll only be alone for a short while. We’re coming back soon. Paul’s parents might return for a visit later, after dropping him off. That is, unless they plan to work at their sugar bush camp.”

Before long, they were waving goodbye, as they headed down the dusty road. Adam watched as everyone waggled fingers from the van.

Suddenly Adam realized, he was on his own. He was now concealed under the foliage of a pleasant smelling spruce tree. His “glasses” pointed towards activity high in the eagle’s nest. How nice it was to be trusted alone by the river.

Imagine no grownups around to nag him. No sister or brother to tease him, neither. But he did wish Paul would hurry.

            Adam had been watching the nest for the past twenty minutes. It looked snug supported by the elbows of large branches. From his hideout it was easy to spot eagle chicks moving around awkwardly.

            It was funny to see mother eagle use a wing to sweep the rascals back into the nest. Father eagle must be somewhere else. Adam wondered if he was scouting around for more food for his family.

Their growing appetites must be hard to satisfy, he thought.

            Adam was getting hungry too. He wished he were up there waiting his turn to eat. Then he gagged, remembering eagles feasted on beetles, frogs and mice. No thank you, no rodents please.

Good thing grandpa reminded Adam to take his lunch from the car. Before eating he tried out his fishing rod. After a few bites, he caught a neat rainbow trout. This was boss.

            Once more the boy placed his binoculars snugly against both eye sockets. “Holy cow,” he exhaled. An eagle was heading right for him. Sure enough, it was the male bald eagle.

It simply appeared out of nowhere. Maybe it has a secret spot he didn’t know about. The huge bird circled his nest making sure everything was all right. Suddenly it headed straight up, then down.

After completing a few circles, the eagle returned.

            Then a rustling in the grass startled Adam. “Paul!” he exclaimed.”

“SSSH. I had to be quiet,” Paul said. “I didn’t want to frighten your eagle.”

Feathery wings were spread full out. It allowed the eagle’s majestic form to dive towards the river. The swift moving creature had claws extended ready to scoop up dinner, and repeated this several times.

Back at the nest, eaglets gulped their share of dinner. 

            The boys eagerly watched this family activity through their binoculars.

And the bald eagle headed once again for the river.