Flight of the Eagle novel (Chap. 3-5)

CHAPTER THREE

               

They had left Truro at exactly 9 AM. The newspaper story said to be here early in order to watch the eagles eat from food stations. Area farmers placed leftover chickens out for feeding around 10 AM.

It was now fifteen minutes past. And the eagle tree that was supposed to be full of eagles didn’t even have one visitor.

Adam wondered why they were in such a big rush to get there. There was nothing to see.

“Time to get up,” grandma said earlier this morning. The words came the exact moment a yoke of sunshine warmed Adam’s eyelids.

He was always proud of the fact he didn’t need an alarm clock to wake up. Especially to be going on such an exciting trip. Perhaps dozens of them were waiting, just for him. One of his main indoor hobbies was reading about animals, and birds. And eagles!

The newspaper read that eagles in Sheffield Mills could be viewed up. Really close, but in safe range. And he knew they wouldn’t lie. Would they?

“Hurry up,” grandpa had called from the hallway. “Or else we’ll never get to see those eagles, chum.”

“They’re Bald Eagles grandpa,” Melanie piped up, from her room this morning.  Everyone said she had ears that could hear through steel doors. Adam knew she was quite smart, and nosey too.

“Sure...sure.” Aren’t all eagles around here bald?” Grandpa teased.

“Only mature adults like you,” Melanie giggled.

“That’s okay, ugly,” Adam piped up, coming to grandpa’s assistance. Besides, he took every opportunity to poke fun at his sister.

“Okay…okay. I can take a joke. Now come on, let’s get going,” grandpa said. “Besides, a bald eagle has white fur on its head. Maybe I should put in an order for some.”

Everyone laughed, except Adam. He didn’t want anyone making fun of grandpa, nor his eagles.

“I’m not bald, just mature,” grandpa added.

 “Immature bald eagles aren’t bald. They also have lighter color in their wing linings. And a shorter tail,” Melanie said matter-of-factly.

“Where did you learn all this? Grandma asked.

“Adam told me,” Melanie said proudly. “He knows a lot about eagles.”

“I bet it has something to do with that project he did,” said grandma.             

“Whatever,” Melanie answered.

“Eagles look alike to me,” grandpa said. “But I do enjoy watching them. That’s why we want this to be a very special trip.”

“For goodness sake,” grandma said. “Let’s get going. Last night I said we should get to bed early. Now look at the time.”

Adam was surprised how quickly the night had slipped by. It was like a shadow, which blocked out well laid plans.

Dressing for the day, then gobbling up breakfast were busy activities. And when finished it was Adam who led the charge down the front steps. After all, he was the fastest runner in his school age group.

One hundred and twenty kilometers later, they arrived at the Kennedy farm in Sheffield Mills.

 

 

CHAPTER FOUR

 

Adam’s binoculars were almost glued to his eyes. Yet, the eagle tree remained bare as an icicle.

He carefully viewed every inch of the tree. He checked for a hidden head or a folded wing, anything. Perhaps there was a feather caught in the elbow of a branch. Sadly, there was nothing.

“Grandma,” Adam whined. “Where are they?”

“Hi there,” an approaching man said. “I couldn’t help overhearing. Don’t be discouraged. The eagles are spread all over. If you scan that strand of trees at the edge of the field, you can see a large nest. Don’t be disappointed if they take their time coming around this spot...”

“But we drove a long way from Truro to see them,” Adam interrupted.

The man placed a finger on his lips to gain Adam’s attention. “About half an hour ago there were about a dozen eagles flying right overhead,” he whispered.

“Really!” Adam exclaimed.

“Yes,” the man continued. “Seven actually landed in that eagle tree. I know it’s kind of worn and chewed right now. But they frequently use it as a resting place.”

When the man said, “worn and chewed,” Adam thought about his fingernails. One of these days he planned to listen to grandma and grandpa’s words. “Aren’t you tired of us always reminding you,” they keep saying.

 “Grandma! Come here, hurry up!” Adam and Melanie shouted together. “This man told us eagles were right over there! In that eagle tree!”

“Show me! Show me!” Colin piped up.

“Yes. They may even come back. But right now the brisk wind keeps them moving around,” the stranger said.

The man was right. Windy gusts kept hammering them. Adam had a hard time seeing properly. His hot breath kept misting his binocular lenses. He patiently scanned the sky.

“They love to soar,” the man said. “They ride the thermals as high as they can. It allows them to move upwards, as if shot from a cannon. Then they glide downwards with their massive wings.”

“My name is Larry,” Adam’s grandfather said, as he joined the group. “You already met my wife, Esther. These are my grandchildren, Melanie and Colin. You’ve already been chatting with Adam. They’re from London, Ontario. Right now they’re living with us in Glenholme. At least until their new home is built.”

“Welcome to Nova Scotia, children! I’m from Yarmouth myself. Just call me, Chuck,” their new friend said.

“Ok, Chuck. Have you come here often?” Grandma asked, joining the conversation.

“Been here three times already. Usually there are more people, but it must be too cold for them today. I see your young ones are properly dressed.”

“Well, as a matter of fact they’re used to the outdoors. And when you like to do things…”

“We’re tough,” Melanie said quickly.

“Yup,” Colin added.

“Shush,” grandpa said. “We took them hiking around the province several times already. They’ve been to Peggy’s Cove and the Cabot Trail.”

“Yah. That was neat,” Colin said. “Hey mister, can I use your telescope?”

 “Don’t interrupt, Colin. It’s not polite.” Grandpa continued to listen to Chuck.

“Then, this weather shouldn’t bother you too much. Take a walk around the corner in that direction,” he said, pointing. “I’m going there myself. That’s why I can’t lend you my telescope, Colin.”

“Sounds like a good spot. Honey? Kids? Let’s check it out. We can leave the car. Might see some sky movement, since there isn’t much happening right here.”

“Come on grandma,” Adam said. “Let’s go.” He strutted like a soldier as he led them around the streets of Sheffield Mills. Frequently everyone halted and looked up at the sky.

Craning their necks, heads made little circles of movement. From a distance it looked like they were doing exercises. Faces continued to arch upwards, eyes searching for flying eagles.

“This is discouraging,” Adam said. Dejected, he sat down on the curb.

“Hey!” a nearby man shouted. “There’s a recreation hall not far away. If you’re hungry, there’s pancakes and sausages,” he said. “And give you a chance to warm up.”

Adam and his family already had a good breakfast. So there was no need to spend money on already full tummies.

“You should go then head upstairs,” the man said. “There’s all kinds of crafts, home baking. And videos on eagles…”

“Eagles” was the magic word. And Adam was on full alert. “Let’s go grandpa!” he yelled. Suddenly the boy was re-energized. 

The building was just a block away. Cars were lined up on both sides of the street and the parking lot was full.

            But they clamored through the doorway anyway.

 

 

CHAPTER FIVE

 

“Sure smells good!” the grandchildren shouted, passing a long lineup in the downstairs doorway.

“Hint. Hint.” Grandma said with a smile as she followed her husband upstairs.

“Come on kids,” Grandpa challenged. “Race you.”

Three sets of sneakers almost knocked their grandmother down as they thundered past.

One lady said, “You want to see a real treasure of activity upstairs.”

Now they entered a large room with a variety of display tables. Pictures, models and even drawings of eagles were placed on tables and walls. Adam almost expected someone to come by with a pet eagle on a leash.

The children rushed around checking out all displays. Of course, an assortment of home baked items easily caught their eye. 

This is where Adam, the cookie monster had a little visit. Besides stamp collecting, he and grandpa had a sweet tooth to satisfy. And a search began for peanut butter cookies, grandpa’s favorite treat.

But something else in a corner of the room caught Adam’s eye. A colorful video on eagles was being shown! He was really excited as he sat down and listened intently.

Eyebrows were raised and lips puckered up in concentration.

The TV speaker said clearly and distinctly, “Eagles and ravens seem to get along together. Even though no one understands why.”

Colin joined Melanie visiting tables in the opposite end of the large room. This gave Adam a chance to be alone at the video.

Eyes bulging, he watched close-ups of eagles eating chickens. They easily tore carcasses apart using their sharp talons and curved beaks.

“Farmers in this area specialize in raising pigs and chickens,” the TV moderator said. “They originally set up food stations in this area twenty years ago. Since then the size of eagle flocks have grown much larger.”

Adam soaked up this new information. He was astonished to learn eagles came mostly from Cape Breton. He also remembered the island from their recent trip with his grandparents.

The Canso Strait Bridge linked it to the mainland. It was an enjoyable ride of almost 200 kilometers from Truro.

“We’ll come back another time,” grandma had promised. “And visit Baddeck. Did you know that Alexander Graham Bell also invented the light bulb? There’s even a museum in his honor.”

Adam rejoined his brother and sister after the video was completed.

“So much to see,” Melanie said to Adam.

“Yup,” Colin agreed.

They were amazed how realistic taxidermists were able to portray eagles on perches. Their large feet and wingspans were “cool.” It was a word used as they moved around the room.

Their eyes feasted on everything.

Adam was like a sponge soaking up every speck of information about eagles. When he looked at his watch, he noticed time racing along. “Grandma…Grandpa? Okay if I go around, one more time?”

Grandma’s quick smile was all that was needed. Then Adam was off making the rounds for another half hour.

He watched a second video. It was fascinating seeing a raven pluck at an eagle’s tail feathers. This distracted the larger bird while another raven seized the eagle’s lunch.

The eagle didn’t seem to mind this little game.

However, when another eagle tried the same trick, it turned into a talon and beak-shoving match.

Melanie always wondered why Adam waved his arms around when he was excited. Now she knew he must be part eagle, she smiled.

Other bits of video news reached Adam’s ears.

“Eagles are symbols of power and courage,” the TV announcer said. “That’s why the bald eagle is the national emblem of the United States.”

Adam was surprised to learn about their strength, easily carrying victims to their nest. Using a keen sense of vision, eagles were easily able to capture their prey. Fish, rodents, snakes and even rabbits provided a tasty diet.

This video is a really neat, Adam thought. Now he could hardly wait to get outside and see some eagles in action.