Recovery made sure the eagle stayed
healthy and imprinted only on other
eagles. In late September, Betsy called
to say that the bird was ready for
release. She contacted Justin and Gary
Remmers as well, and we made plans
to meet at a nearby state recreation
area. The Remmers said that the
eaglet's family had left the nest on
their property and that the birds have
been seen at the recreation area. Betsy
asked me if I could assist in catching
the eagle in its fl ight pen. Of course, I
said yes!
Catching an eagle in a fl ight pen is
always an adventure. Even though
this eagle had been saved by humans,
it wanted nothing to do with us. When
I walked into the fl ight pen and saw
the huge bird, I completely froze – not
in fear but in admiration. As it fl ew
overhead, I stood in awe and watched
its long wingspan block out the light.
The sound of an eagle's wings moving
the air always sends chills down my
spine. As I stood by, useless, Betsy,
Doug and Brooke Manes caught the
bird. Brooke was the fi rst to be able
to grab and control its talons; the bird
seemingly wanted to eat Brooke's
face. Before leaving Raptor Recovery,
volunteers weighed and outfi tted the
eagle with some "bling" in the form of
a leg band. Since its arrival, the eagle
grew from 3 to 9½ pounds.
At the state recreation area in Gage
County, we met Gary, Justin and Lynn
Remmers, as well as a family friend.
Rex Adams and CO Seitz also came out
to watch. After a few quick photos, we
released the eagle.
The moment passed quickly. The
bird fl ew right over us and did not look
back. It soared out to the lake, and for
a moment, I feared it was going to go
into the water. I asked if anyone knew
of a boat nearby. The eagle continued
to descend toward the water, and
to my relief, it hovered just a few
inches above the lake, its wingtips
even touching the water a couple of
times. It was enjoying its freedom.
Then it fl ew to the other side of the
lake and landed on the shore. We
watched for about 15 minutes, until it
got up and took off into a grove of trees
where we lost sight.
"Just an eagle." It was just an eagle
that touched a few lives and made
friends out of strangers.
N
Dina Barta has been a conservation
offi cer for the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission since 1992.
Top: Gary Remmers, Justin Remmers, Doug Finch and Betsy Finch pose for one last picture with the juvenile eagle before
release. Bottom: Doug Finch, a Raptor Recovery volunteer, releases the bird at a state recreation area in Gage County.
nn
nd.
out
we
he
ok
for
go
ew
ed
nd
w
s
f
Commission since 1992.
April 2020 • Nebraskaland 45
