In Loving Memory of Mom Norfolk - by The Eagle Peeps (best autobiographies to read txt) 📗

how to soar like eagles even though we have no wings. They have taught us we are all one with the creatures of the earth and to cherish and protect the gift we have been given.

I want to thank WVEC and Pete McEleveen for giving me the chance to be a moderator and for bringing this wonderful eagle family to people around the world., CCB and Reese Lukei for guidance and information, VDGIF and Steve Living for answers to many questions and guidance to do the right thing for wildlife, and to each and every one of the viewers, there are no words to express how much you have meant to me. I have never known such kind and caring people and hope that once again our paths will cross. A special thank you to Congowings – my friend and mentor, PiedmontN8tive for her kindness, Shoebutton for her LOL moments, and to all of them because they are the best of the best and always willing to help or step in when needed. Finally, I want to say that whatever the next year brings, we will always have a special bond that has held us together through the good and the bad times, the tears and the laughter, the storms and the rainbows, and all this because of the love of a special pair of eagles. Each time you look up and see an eagle soaring, remember – it could be one of ours. Until next year and that first egg – Sweet Eagle Dreams.

FAREWELL from PiedmontN8tive

What an eagle season this has been! Where do I start? I want to thank Pete and WVEC for absolutely everything this season. Thank you to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and Norfolk Botanical Garden for providing the opportunity for thousands of nature lovers and school children to share comments, ask questions, and learn about the American Bald Eagle as well as enhancing public awareness about wildlife. I also want to thank Mr. Reese Lukei, Center for Conservation and Biology, from whom I have learned so much.

A big thank you also goes to the Wildlife Center of Virginia. The speed in which they reacted to rescue and provide for our eaglets was nothing short of miraculous. Thank you for doing what you do so well!

I want to thank my fellow moderators MVK, Shoebutton, and especially Congowings. Congowings’s tireless dedication to the Norfolk Eagles is an example of utterly pure and absolute unselfish kindness. You ROCK Congo!

Of course I have to thank our viewers. I have learned so much from our viewers. I especially want to mention how much I appreciated the shared support the viewers offered during those dark days after the Female was killed. The viewer’s comments were a comfort.

Over the many years I have watched this nest, viewers always asked which eaglet was my favorite – I could never choose because the Female was always my favorite eagle. She was a breathtaking beauty; powerful, strong, always in charge, and yet calm and gentle beyond words. She will forever own a piece of my heart.

I now look forward to a new beginning at Norfolk Botanical Garden and I leave this 2011 Eagle Season filled with hope.

Thank you all for being a part of my life!

FAREWELL from Shoebutton

As The 2011 Season Comes To An End …

I would like to thank NBG, VDGIF, WVEC for the wonderful cam and allowing viewers from all over the world to come together as an Eagle Nation! I would also like to thank WCV for allowing all of us to watch the NBG Trio while they thrived at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. An experience, I will never forget. WVEC – what can I say other than thank you for allowing us to continue with the cam after “Mom” Norfolk’s passing. Even to this day, it amazes me how everyone came together and we were able to end this season on a high note verses a sad one.

A valuable education has been received by all and I would like to thank my Teachers – CCB, VDGIF, NBG And WVC. Every year I learn something new. Pete At WVEC, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a moderator again this season. Eagle Nation has grown to thousands and it sure has been quite an experience! To all my fellow moderators, Pete said we are a rare bunch, lol and yes we are. We know when to be serious, we know just the right time to share a bit of humor and we don’t beak bonk it each! lol It’s been a pleasure and I’ve enjoyed our friendships. To all the photographers, Thank you for allowing us to view your images and to enjoy the eagles through your “eyes!”

To all of Eagle Nation – “It’s Been A Great Ride!” Just sayin’ lol

NZ, NX and NV – I wish you a safe journey as you soar, catch those thermals and enjoy your freedom. NX, I look forward to you visiting with Azalea at the catfish farm!

”Mom” Norfolk, you’ll always hold a special place in my heart. Five seaons of memories. “Dad” Norfolk, stay safe, hunt well and find a new lady! We trust you and know that she will be beautiful.

In Closing, my best to all and I look forward to what the future may bring us!

EPILOGUE

Five years later………..

He had wandered near and far over the last few years, checking out various locations, scouting for an area to call “his”, checking out the ladies, and occasionally running into his siblings and spending some time with them. They never spent much time together, they were still too bossy as far as he was concerned, but it was still good to see them on occasion.

While soaring high over the river late one fall afternoon, the male eagle glanced over his shoulder and discovered another eagle riding the thermals nearby. The stranger looked his way and liked what she saw. As well she should, for he was indeed his father’s son - handsome and debonair. She followed him down as he seemed to float to his favorite hunting tree. After they both landed, he took a second, closer look, noticed how trim and fit she was, and invited her to his branch. Their eyes met and held. He felt a spark. She must have felt it too, for simultaneously, they both took off from the branch, soaring back to the heavens, chasing each other, locking talons, whirling head over heels, down, down, down toward the river, breaking apart at the last moment only to glide back on high to do it once again before coming to a graceful stop on a tree limb protruding over the edge of the riverbank.

No words were exchanged that afternoon, no vows said, no questions asked. When night fell, by mutual consent they shared a branch. Over the course of the weeks that followed, they stayed together, realizing that they were better together than apart. They continued fishing, playing, and flying together. The weather began changing, getting colder with an occasional snowfall, and the pair knew that the time had come. They needed to find a special tree fit for a nest for a future ruler of the skies. They selected a tall loblolly pine not far from the banks of Lake Whitehurst, an area he fished often with great success, and began constructing their nest. Although the male had flown many miles up and down the Chesapeake and surrounding area, and had found many areas providing abundant fishing, this area kept calling to him.

Locals and visitors to the area were excited watching the construction of the nest, knowing that this meant there would be babies in the spring. One cold snowy day, a lucky visitor was taking a quick walk through the area of the nest hoping that he would be able to at least see one of the eagles. Hope against hope, he took a camera with him and was able to get a photograph of the male coming in for a landing while carrying some construction materials for the nest. While reviewing the photo on his digital camera, the visitor discovered that he had captured a piece of information that thousands of eagle lovers worldwide would want to know. And no one else was there; he was the only person privy to the information he held in his hands. Only the trees, plants and animals in the gardens heard him as he shouted the words to the world, “NV has come home!”

Imprint

Text: Copyright 2011 All rights reserved. No part of this document or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the creator of the various items within. Any screen captures with Norfolk Botanical Garden caption belongs to them exclusively. Any screen captures after the eaglets were turned over to the Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV) belong to WVEC and WCV. Cover photo of NZ is provided courtesy of Sandy Robbins.
Publication Date: 07-17-2011

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
This is dedicated to everyone connected with the eaglets from the Norfolk Botanical Garden 2011 nest. WVEC-TV - Words cannot express our gratitude for continuing the cam feed long after the normal nesting season should have ended. You are awesome! Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG) - Thank you for allowing the cam feed from WVEC and providing a wonderful place that keeps an active eagle nest available for the cam feed. And a big thank you for planning the memorial service and creating a fitting memorial on the grounds for Mom Norfolk. The Indian Nation members who performed the blessing ceremony for Mom Norfolk at the Gardens - it was a very touching ceremony and helped us deal with our grief. Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV) - You guys rock! Thank you for accepting all the surrogate parents that came with the three eaglets in your care, not to mention the other thousands of critters you have cared for this year. Hope we have not caused you too many headaches and that you are happy you have gained new supporters. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) - Thank you for making the hard decision to take the eaglets from the nest and turn them over to WCV. While we complained and thought we knew best, YOU truly knew best and did it. The Center for Conservation Biology (CCB) - Reese Lukei, Jr., had an unenviable task, but we are grateful that identification was performed by a friend. Moderators - Congowings, Shoebutton, MVK, PiedmontN8tive - What can we say? You