This picture was captured on the beach at Fort Flager. I walked to within ten feet of the eagle-eating crab. Then, I realized we knew each other. From my beach cabin at the mouth of Discovery Bay, high up on a Fir tree, was an eagle's nest. Sitting on the veranda one morning, up popped this little head out of the nest for the next two or three months; we watched each other. I never got the first flight, even though I was prepared for the day. So, when I saw an eagle eating on the shoreline at Fort Flagler, I slowly moved forward, hoping for a close-up shot. When just ten feet away, it did not move, nor did I. It was my neighbor in the Fir tree. To close for a 180 lens on my camera, I backed away and waited. Waiting sounds simple: you stand, kneel, or sit. Waiting can be brutal in the Pacific Northwest mid-winter on cold, damp, windy, heavily overcast days. You dress in layers for what you think you'll encounter. On that day, it was for a fast walk along the beach. Not a dress kit for standing still for the ten minutes I was about to do. It felt like hours, especially when my fingers went numb waiting for the take-off. I backed far enough away to allow for a loose shot, which was a tight shot when the eagle took flight. Thanks for being a sports photographer. The take-off was quick and faster than anticipated, but I got the shot. Then, it flew to the parking area; perched and waited for me. This time, for a long pause, we watch each other. When, after flying to another preach, it flew away. We knew we would never meet again.

I thought the eagle calendar would be fun to run in the Leader, considering a Thursday is the first day of the 2024 year. The bald eagle has been the national bird of the United States since 1782.

"They are strong and independent; they are survivors. They are majestic, bold, and faithful."

One should consider what our Constitution means when voting this November.