Bald Eagles - Cayuga, Indiana

Today I drove to Cayuga, Indiana to join my good friends Toni and Bob (lived next to Toni when I was in Indianapolis - they were my HD riding buddies), at the 15th annual bald eagle viewing hosted by Duke Energy. The Cayuga electric power plant sits alongside the Wabash River. This station has the state's largest population of mid-winter migratory bald eagles.




Heated water is discharged from the power plant into the river which keeps ice from forming. This attracts fish which subsequently attracts the eagles. We saw 3 juvenile eagles - sometimes perched in trees, sometimes flying to the water. (the picture of one flying is a little blurred - had a tough time keeping up with him as he flew)





What's special about the bald eagle? In 1782 the founding fathers of the United States of America selected the bald eagle as the national bird. It has become our national symbol.

The bald eagle at maturity (around age 5) has a white head and white tail feathers, weight up to 14 lbs with an 8 foot wingspan. Unlike humans, they mate for life, returning to the same nest year after year. Nests are built up each year and eventually can be 10 feet across and weigh up to 1/2 ton. They can live 15-25 years, longer in captivity.




A big focus of the viewing day is a report on the status of the bald eagle. Once on the Endangered Species list, we now have almost 10,000 nesting pairs across the country. This is largely due to a 1972 EPA ban on use of DDT. DDT impacted the birds ability to produce strong egg shells (interered with calcium)so when the eagles sat on the eggs, they cracked. However, they are still hunted, trapped and shot - who could do that?

This eagle has been in captivity since he was 2 years old (he's now 29)because someone shot him. He was found by other hunters who rescued him. His left wing was so infected it had to be amputated.



There was a really good "live bird" educational program taught by The American Eagle Foundation. If you haven't ever been to the viewing, I'd highly recommend the trip. FYI - watch for one of their eagles to fly at the Super Bowl!

As a side note, this is a coal plant and they said they are working on cleaning up the pollution - let's hope so! Ranked 34st worse in the nation!

Serving Our Country: Bruce Doughty - Army

Flight 3963 O'Hare to Nashville

When I see men and women in the military I always thank them for their dedication to this country and for keeping us safe (a big "thank you" to the editor of the American Airlines magazine for an editorial reminding readers to do this!). Have you ever thought about who these "kids" are? Why they chose the military? What they plan to do with their lives?

Today, at Gate G11, I met Bruce Doughty, age 19. Bruce joined the Army right out of high school and this May, will have served 2 years. When I learned he was on the same flight, I dragged him to the gate agent to exchange seats with him (I had an exit row, which gives you a lot more leg room). As it turns out, the seat next to me was empty so she moved him to that seat. Side note: there was another gentleman at the check-in desk and when he saw me bring Bruce there, he immediately said "does he need a seat on this plane? I'll give him my ticket". How thoughtful!

Once we boarded, I spent some time chatting with Bruce and here's what I learned:

He is currently stationed at Fort Riley (Kansas), and was headed home to Chapel Hill, TN (55 miles south of Nashville) for a two week "vacation" with his family.

Bruce plans to make the Army his career. Right now, he works in Avionics. I had to ask him exactly what that meant and he said he works on BlackHawk helicopters - the radio systems, the eletrical system - anything with a gauge. (he emailed me the two pictures)





He eventually wants to be a pilot which will require him to get a degree, attend officer school and 52 weeks of flight school. He thinks he'll start with helicopters but hopes to eventually fly jets. I'm not sure I've ever seen such confidence and enthusiasm. He loves the work that he does - he said he's loved flying and aircraft since he was a little boy.

I asked him what we could do for him and his fellow soliders..."what do you need?". He said that letters of support from friends and family really helped him get through basic training and he still loves getting them....and we're talking "real" letters, ones that require pen and paper and a stamp.

When I asked him "what do you want to tell people about the Army?", he says its not as easy at it looks. It’s a very technical and demanding job. He thinks some people think being in the Army is just guns and violence .

Lastly, I learned that his sister, Chelsie Kirkland (age 25) is also in the Army. She works in intelligence (intelligence analyst) and is being deployed to Iraq February 5. She will be there 400 days.

Thank you Bruce and Chelsie.