Bald Eagle Watching 2025, We Missed It!

We have been going to see the eagles on Lake Coeur d Alene every December for at least 12 years.  I follow the Bureau of Land Management bald eagle count that is posted weekly.  Well, this year we had the government shut down and the count was delayed.  I can look back several years to see when the peak of the eagle count happens.  Most of the time it is in mid December.  I saw the count at about 284 eagles on November 26.  My thought was the count would go up and we could wait a week or so.  Nope.  The next bald eagle count went down by about 100 eagles.  We headed out.  We did miss the peak for sure but there were still bald eagles to find.  Not as many and the great picture opportunities were few and far between.  It was still amazing to see how majestic and how huge bald eagles look as the soar in the sky.  I was prepared, camera in hand ready to shoot pictures of the bald eagles. 

Mike and his spotting scope. He is a pro at spotting the eagles in the trees. It was nice that there was no snow.  The bald eagles are harder to find when there is snow in the trees.  They have white heads you know.  We did have to brave some wind and a bit of rain.  This is the second spot we went to.  

Can you tell it was windy? 

There was a little issue with Mike and his glasses.  They went missing.  We searched and searched where we were watching the bald eagles.  No luck.  Mike was ready to replace the glasses.  We headed to Michael D's for breakfast as we always do. Mike had to use my glasses to read the menu.  Charming. 

They fit him perfectly.  The glasses were eventually found.  

Lessoned learned.  If the bald eagle count gets over 200 go.  If the count goes up we can always go again.  I look forward to this tradition every year!  We will be back next year.  

Isaiah 40:31 Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary and walk and not faint. 

A Surprise visit by a Bald Eagle and Kristin

When I think about this day, day 3 of skiing this year, I think about just how good God is and how he cares about every detail of our lives.  Isaiah 40:31, Those who trust in the Lord will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, walk and not faint.  I think I would call this my life verse.  It is in several places in our home, tattooed on my back, on bracelets, on my blog.   On my way to 49 I always look in a certain area for bald eagles.  I love seeing them.  I feel like God sends them to me.  No eagle this time.  As I got closer to 49 one of the biggest bald eagles I have ever seen flew in front of my car and turned around mid air and flew across the front of my car again.  It was in a spot that wasn't a normal bald eagle spot and it was flying low.  I knew it was a sign from God that I was going to be fine.  I was so happy I had to pull over and call Mike to tell him what happened.  God cares.  He cares about every detail of your life.  That just reinforced how much God cares about all of us.  He knew I needed reassurance and sent me a sign.  My joy came spilling out in the form of tears.  

2nd blessing.  Kristin's family didn't want to ski and she decided to join me at 49.  Surprise.  She found me right away.  She could have been looking for a long time but she didn't have to because...well you know.  Another God moment.  

The snow was hard, it was cold and a bit windy but it was a great day.  Look at those blue skies.  It was so fun to ski with Kristin.  Or should I say behind Kristin.  She skis like a ball of fire.  

We skied until around 2:30.  I am back.  No nerves about my ACL repair.  I had so much fun and remembered why I love this sport so much.  My legs will get stronger and each ski day will be better than the next.  This is etched in my heart in a new way, God cares, He cares about every single detail of our life.  He is good.  He sent that eagle to tell me I would be just fine and I was!