Do you remember what it was like to be so totally in love that you wanted to be physically close to the other person every single moment of every single hour? That was the first thought that came to mind when I spotted these two Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) close together in a tree last Tuesday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. I tend to think of eagles as being fierce, powerful, and independent, but this image suggests that they also have a tender, vulnerable side as well.
Look into the eyes of the eagle on the right, which I believe is the male. Doesn’t he look like he is totally smitten, wide-eyed and in love? This stage of total infatuation often happens when you are young, though it can strike you at any time in your life. It brings to mind a playground chant of my youth that was designed to embarrass the persons named in the song. Do you remember the song?
Imagine these two eagles were named Chris and Mike. It would go like this:
Chris and Mike
Sitting in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G!
First comes love
Then comes marriage
Then comes baby
In a baby carriage!
Can you imagine an eagle with a baby carriage? Let your creative imagination run wild. If I had skills as a cartoonist, it would be fun to make a drawing with this eagle couple pushing a baby carriage. Alas, I have no such skills, but would encourage any of you who possess those skills to take on the challenge.
Have a wonderful weekend.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
You’re obviously feeling whimsical today, Mike 🙂. Wonderful photos, as usual. Hope you have a great weekend too!
As you may have noticed, my postings tend to be a reflection of my mood at the moment when I wrote them. When I woke up this morning, I knew that I was going to use the photo of the eagle couple, but did not know what I was going to say. Somehow the words “sitting in a tree” came to mind and started me off on the whimsical tangent. I have a slightly warped sense of humor that creeps in to my posts sometimes. Life is too short to be serious and dignified all of the time (or, as I sometimes think, it’s too short to be serious any of the time). 🙂
We share a similar outlook. I often quote the saying “life’s too short to be taken seriously”!
I sure remember that little song from my youth! Hurray for Springtime!
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I have no idea if that song is still used by kids, but it sure was used as a kind of taunt when I was young.
If they are interested in starting a family, I wish them luck. Not enough talent for drawing here, bug it is a funny thought.
🙂
Fun to imagine … And is the eagle on the left not looking a bit smug? She has her man beside her, blue sky all around, and some photographer down below making note of her esteemed status …
I actually had the same thought about the expression of the eagle on the left (except for her thoughts about the photographer). 🙂
Not a chant I’ve come across before!
I think it is an American thing, though I read somewhere that it may sometimes be used in the United Kingdom. (It also may have come before your time, Liz.) 🙂
Happy thought indeed, and I remember that little ditty very well too.
In fact, it actually appeared in my mind’s ear when I read your title.
You and I had the same word association, Gary.
I don’t know if it was a generational thing, but folks who are about my age seem to remember it pretty easily. 🙂
As cool as eagles are, I think two in a bush is preferable to an eagle in hand. 🙂 They do seem to be getting along quite well. 🙂
🙂
Feeling poetic today Mike! Must say these two eagles are beautiful. Their plumage, their eyes which are not as fierce as we see them normally are quite striking. That male looks transfixed, whereas the female looks rather content.
Yes, Chris, I was in a sort of strange mood this morning when I wrote the post. I think that you are quite right about the eyes. I think it is love that caused the change, but I am a hopeless romantic. 🙂
Great shot of both of them.
Thanks. It took a lot of shots until I go one in which the eyes of them both were visible.