In Loving Memory of Mom Norfolk by by The Eagle Peeps (best value ebook reader TXT) 📕

way through us and out the tips of our feathers as we pumped our wings toward the tree line. It was like Mom gave us each a part of her spirit to carry with us on our new journey; we felt like we were glowing.

NX:

I thought the

Earth Walkers

would be happy to get rid of us, but some had tears streaming down their faces, weird huh?

NV:

Do you think those strange creatures will miss us?

NX:

Well they didn’t go out of their way to be friendly, that’s for sure.

NZ:

Who knows, they were definitely weird, but they did do what Mom told us they would. They gave us shelter and food and allowed us to grow up strong---and ---- they did set us free. ……….Perhaps some of them will.

In a Garden southeast of this area, a lone male eagle suddenly flew skyward from his perch by the lake, and cried out his thanks to the Great Spirit and the Earth Walkers for the return of his precious children. People watching him from below thought they saw him flying with another eagle……but most dismissed it as a sun shadow…..

Blessing for NZ….NX…..NV

May the Great Spirit always watch over you

Giving you strength and courage for the challenges ahead

May Mother Earth provide you with winds to soar upon

Sun to wrap you in its warmth

My Eagle Sendoff

E.G. Strasser

Dear eagles 3 your road of life, is coming to a bend
your time at Wildlife center, is coming to an end

Your medicare and medicaid, is coming to a close
For care like this, you really would, be paying through the nose

No longer will you get, your breakfast served in bed
You'll have to find your own, if your going to be fed

So go back home and pack, up your own valise
The time will soon be here, when you'll earn a quick release

Take your favorite fishing gear, and lucky rodent trap
You have your eagle GSP, so you don't need a map

I hear you will be going to, the old Berkeley Plantation
your trip is free and you don't even need, to make a reservation

A pack of humans will be there, to send you on your way
the tears will flow, this I know, upon this joyful day

Within 5 years, there will be cause, for some more jubilation
white feathers will adorn your head, You'll be a symbol of our nation

Twas the Morning of Freedom

By Lona Wilson

(Based on Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore)

Twas the morning of freedom, when all through the cage
The Rock Stars were stirring, for they’d come of age.
The perch swings were hung by the bird baths with care,
With no knowledge that Ed Clark soon would be there.

NV and NX splashed all snug in their pond,
With pieces of fish of which they were so fond.
NZ noticed Miranda, with Suz by her side,
And while seemingly early, they WERE still outside.

When out on the path there arose such a clatter,
They all sprang to the swing to see what was the matter.
Away to the fencing they flew like a flash,
And hung from the netting while avoiding a crash.

The sun on that morn at the forested ground,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to the Center’s compound.
When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature van, and some good volunteers.

With a little old driver, so lively ahead,
They knew in a moment it had to be Ed.
More rapid than eagles his helpers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dr. Dave! Shoe! Amanda and Piedmont!
MVK, Congowings, Ben, Vinny! Let’s all jaunt!
To the top of the hill! to the top of the walls!
Let’s catch eagles and moderate! Our duty calls!"

As fresh fish in the pond meet the eagles that fly,
With strong outreached talons, that mount to the sky.
So up to the enclosure the helpers they flew,
With the van and 3 cages, and Dr. Ed too.

And then, in a twinkling, our Stars heard at the door
The stomping and stepping of feet on the floor.
As they dropped from the net, and were flying around,
Down the path Dr. Miranda came with a bound.

She was dressed all in jeans, from her head to her feet,
And her arms were all covered with padding complete.
A bundle of blankies were flung on the ground,
And she looked like the enemy had just come around.

Her eyes-how they focused, Her silence-how scary!
Her arms were like weapons, the eagles were wary!
Her droll little mouth was clenched in a smile,
And her movements were subtle, as if to beguile.

The edge of a blankie held tight in her hand,
Would only be useful if an eagle should land.
She had a small face and was fast on her feet,
She was also quite agile and wouldn’t retreat!

She was watching and waiting, a quick-witted vet,
And the Rock Stars were mindful that she was a threat!
A wink of her eye and a twist of her head,
Soon gave them to know they had PLENTY to dread.

She spoke not a word, but went straight to her work,
And raising her arms she turned with a jerk,
And scarfing them up ONE BY ONE AS THEY FLEW
She gave Ed the nod, and he answered her cue.

He sprang to his van, gave his team an ovation,
And away they all drove to Berkeley Plantation.
And an Eagle Nation cried as they flew out of sight
MAY GOD ALWAYS BE WITH YOU, MAY YOUR FUTURES BE BRIGHT.

To NZ, NX and NV from Dad Norfolk

by Carol Senechal

I wish I was with you.
I wanted to teach you magical things.
But I had to try to find her.
Something was wrong.
She wasn’t there.
I looked everywhere.
She wasn’t anywhere.
I was away too long.
But you were there when I came back to you.
You were so brave.
You were so strong.
But your eyes told me you knew.
As you leaned against me - you knew.
But I had to leave you again to find her.
She wasn’t there.
She wasn’t anywhere.
I came back to you once more.
You weren’t there.
I looked everywhere.
You were not anywhere.
I did come back to you.
I did come back to you.
By now I know you’re climbing, flying, soaring in
some cloudless sky.
As you rise wing to wing so high and free,
Feel my love and strength in you.
I will always love you.
We will meet again one day.
You may not know me then but I will always know you.
I will always know you.

To NZ, NX and NV from Mom Norfolk

by Carol Senechal

As you take to the open skies
Remember my three that I will always be only a whisper away.
Just past the next cloud,
Just over the next hill,
Just beyond the next loblolly pine.
I am in your wake as the wind flows through your wings,
And the sun warms your face.
My strength is in you and with you.
My love is who you are.

FAREWELL from CONGOWINGS

As the 2011 nest season comes to an end I can’t help but think back to the very beginning – when we were wondering how the season would play out in the new nest. Concern as to whether we would be able to see the bobbleheads and if the photographers would get those special moments. I wish it had been that simple – but instead we had to work through the loss of the female. The season changed on April 26, 2011. Thousands of viewers across the world came together to mourn the loss of a much beloved bald eagle.

And now we just witnessed her offspring soar off to begin the next part of their journey.

I would like to express my appreciation to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries - and especially Mr. Stephen Living – for making sure the best course of action was taken in regard to the welfare of the eaglets and the male.

Thank you to the Wildlife Center of Virginia whose responsibility it was to care for the young eaglets and make sure they were ready to be released back into the wild. They are an amazing, professional and kind group of individuals that I respect. Thank you WVEC & WCV for allowing the viewers the opportunity to watch the NBG eaglets get ready for release. Special thanks to Mr.Clark and Amanda for the many hours they spent giving updates and answering questions.

Thank you Perry Mathewes for all the wonderful tours and time you spent answering questions about not only the eagles, but the beautiful garden. It was a pleasure working with you both last year and this year. It is totally understandable why the eagles chose Norfolk Botanical Garden - it is beautiful!

And like everyone I want to express my gratitude to Mr. Reese Lukei (CCB) for all the time he took answering our many questions. His passion and love for the eagles is evident in that smile. You have been a teacher to all and I know everyone appreciates it.
To my fellow moderators – all I can say is thank you. You have been a joy to work with and I appreciate all the kindness you have given to me. Thank you!!

And to the viewers – thank you. Thank you for your questions, comments, humor, patience and concern. Without you the Eagle Cam would not be near the vehicle for education it is meant to be. Thank you for sharing it with your friends, family and co-workers. A special thank you to the teachers – you are shaping our younger generation in one of the most positive ways – you all are so special! Oh - and a thank you to Nuckols Tree Care!

Last – thank you WVEC – Pete - - - I hope your vision last year has been partially realized. I have so much admiration and respect for you as a person and I thank you for all the time you have spent behind the scenes to bring this cam to all.

I wish everyone a very safe and healthy 2011 – and I hope to see everyone next year if nature finds a way. Thank you again – take care -- will be back in a minute . . .

FAREWELL from MVK

This has been a special year. One in which a pair of eagles have brought so many together to form a nation. They have taught us that out of sadness and loss, the impossible becomes possible. They have taught us to care for one another, despite our differences. They have taught us that kindness and teamwork can overcome adversity. They have taught us