On mornings when we’re running late, feeling the edges of our words a little too sharply as we toss them around at one another, on drives when the volume from the backseat reaches deafening decibels, on those days especially, witnessing unexpected beauty changes everything. This weekend, as we drove home from town Sunday afternoon, we glanced around the river as we crossed the bridge. There, perched high in a leafless tree, was this gorgeous bald eagle. We watched, the frustration of the morning melting away as we shared this moment.
* * *
“Do you think we’ll see another eagle?” Calder asks climbing into the van.
“I’m not sure, Buddy. We’ll try.”
As we’re all settled in, I can’t help but smile, pleased that they remember our encounter the day before, and proud of their excitement. I’m not sure who’s more excited about these sighting – me or the kids. Crossing the bridge at a barely noticeable speed, we’re each scanning the trees. Nothing. When I take a left turn at the library, instead of heading on towards home, Calder squeals.
“Let’s check just one more place,” I say as they cheer. We follow the road along the river, still searching, hoping. Then, just as the river bends away from the road, I see stark white and rich brown. “I see one!” Edging the van to the side of the road, I climb out. As Calder and I watch, we see another younger eagle take flight, soaring over our heads and on toward another riverfront tree.
“Excuse me.” I turn around and see a woman calling to us from her car. “Are you alright?”
Smiling I say, “We’re fine. Just watching the bald eagles.” The woman nods and drives away. Watching her go, in the same direction the eagle flew, I’m amazed that these magnificent birds, seemingly abundant in our area, can go completely unnoticed by so many people. Yet, those of us lucky enough to catch a glimpse, continue searching the trees and watching the gray winter skies for the arcs of their impressive wings…hoping.
http://kirstenn2016.edublogs.org/
http://alaynag2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/slice-of-life-spring/
http://maceys2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/slice-of-life-3/
That’s really cool Mrs.Cornwell! I hope I’ll see some soon!
Bald eagles can by a bird that can by a rare site to see. I like this slice of life. It shows what some people don’t see when they don’t get a time to go out in nature.
http://jarretth2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/slice-of-life-2/
http://mariag2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/slice-of-life-book-presintations/
thats really cool
David M.
http://davidm2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/sols-will-and-alis-house/
http://brianf2016.edublogs.org/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=34&message=6
http://jacobs2016.edublogs.org/wp-admin/post-new.php
http://jacobc2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/slice-of-life-3/
The simple things!!!!!!! My husband and I too enjoy watching birds of all kinds and their habits, and I enjoyed you putting this small moment in a mini-story with dialogue. Not only are you a wonderful writer, but a wonderful mom to share the simple things with your children. Funny how nature still astounds vs. technology. Don’t stop writing or sharing with your children. I am a retired language arts teacher, so I am appreciating the simpler things even more–you inspired me to write today!
http://alisong2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/christmas-wonderland-in-chicago/
http://duncang2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/sols-when-we-got-our-chickens/
That’s would be awesome!
Noelle A.
http://noellea2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/sols-winter/
It’s amazing to see such a gorgeous bird out of the blue. Hopefully I’ll be able to see some really soon. You can’t ever find any. Very rare.
y do they call it the bald eagle when it isn’tbald? http://mackenzies2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/wham-it/
That’s really cool to see those. My brother and I have seen a couple in the woods around my house. It’s really cool to see them.
http://dylang2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/sols-when-i-was-sick/
That is so cool. I always see them in the summer when I go out on the Grand River. They are awesome animals. I love watching them fly around in the sky.
http://jeremiahp2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/sols-snowmobiling/
That was a really cool post. Ive never seen one here in Portland so now Ill be scanning the trees to find one.
This is really cool Mrs. Cornwell! I sometimes see bald eagles behind my house and they are really pretty animals.
http://amandap2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/a-slice-of-life-choices/
http://meaganb2016.edublogs.org/
http://cadew2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/the-day-my-brother-broke-his-arm/
http://makaylab2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/slice-of-life-over-the-weekend/
http://nikolass2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/sols-when-a-be…se-in-portland/
That’s really cool that thing is giant and I bet you five dollars it could eat me whole.
http://brandonl2016.edublogs.org/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=32&message=6
That is a really good SOLS
http://matthewh2016.edublogs.org/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=33&message=1
that’s so amazing
http://darianr2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/sols-stuffed-animals/
Its kinda of hard to believe that a bird can have a wingspan bigger than a size of a human?!
http://rachelc2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/slice-of-life-busy-busy-busy/
That is so cool! My family saw two bald eagles last weekend also.
http://jaimis2016.edublogs.org/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=31
wow i have seen one to when me and my dad were driving it was so cool
http://taylorw2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/slice-of-life/
That is so cool that you actually got to see one. I want yo see one that is not in the Zoo.
http://dylanc2016.edublogs.org/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=27&message=6
that is really funny
http://brandonb2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/a-slice-of-life-new-toy/
http://jonathans2016.edublogs.org/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=30&message=6
i have never seen a full grown bald eagle except for in zoos that sounds like a lot fun.
http://andrewl2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/sols-blind-side/
http://isaacc2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/slice-of-life-my-dog/
its pretty
http://alecb2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/sols-sols-the-worst-movie-ever/
http://brandonr2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/slice-of-life/
http://daniellek2016.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/slice-of-life-3/
I wrote about the little things today as well. I loved the way your pulled the reader in at the beginning by setting the stage for your slice.
Something about your voice in this slice really captures the emotion of a moment like this. The voice and imagery took me right back to growing up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Thank you!
I love your opening line – and I can visualize your drive and views of eagles along the river – I get the same sorts of peeks at those majestic birds on my drive to work. Feel blessed to be so close to them in the NW.
I love your opening line – I love being in the NW and getting to see those majestic birds on my drive to work each day!
Hi Amanda! They are beautiful! We are always in awe when we catch a glimpse of one, and we never tire of it….love your post!