The first time I saw a bald eagle was about a mile's walk into the woods (no paths), in a marshy area in a northeastern state forest.
We surprised each other, and all I could do is stare, stunned, while s/he took flight about 20 yards in front of me.
Now granted, I was about 15 and had grown up with all the iconography and mythology, but I felt instantly that that bird earned it all. S/he was enormous and beautiful and majestic in a way that I had never seen before in a wild animal. (And rarely since!)
Made me think that, to the great majority of species, humans are just an unwelcome out-of-control infestation on the planet. Yes, we have some redeeming qualities, but they are not often on display to these animals. :)
We surprised each other, and all I could do is stare, stunned, while s/he took flight about 20 yards in front of me.
Now granted, I was about 15 and had grown up with all the iconography and mythology, but I felt instantly that that bird earned it all. S/he was enormous and beautiful and majestic in a way that I had never seen before in a wild animal. (And rarely since!)
Made me think that, to the great majority of species, humans are just an unwelcome out-of-control infestation on the planet. Yes, we have some redeeming qualities, but they are not often on display to these animals. :)