We started off the New Year right! Yesterday the sun was shining and the eagles were soaring over Stillwaters. Yes, we have bald eagles who regularly fly/soar/play over Stillwaters Estates. They are spectacular to watch.
They do have nests to the north of the neighborhood, along the Chehalis River.
For those who regularly drive I-5 through Centralia there is a large eagles nest to the west of the freeway between exit 81 and 82. When we drove past it this week the nest was occupied and this was great to see.
Here are a few facts about eagles for your reading pleasure.
- Color – Both male and female adult bald eagles have a blackish-brown back and breast; a white head, neck, and tail; and yellow feet and bill.
- Juvenile bald eagles are a mixture of brown and white. They reach full maturity in four to five years.
- Size – The female bald eagle is 35 to 37 inches, slightly larger than the male.
Wingspan ranges from 72 to 90 inches. - Bald eagles can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet. During level flight, they can achieve speeds of about 30 to 35 mph.
- Several eagles soaring in a thermal together is described as a kettle of eagles.
Bald eagles weigh from ten to fourteen pounds. - Eagle bones are light, because they are hollow.
- The beak, talons, and feathers are made of keratin.
- Bald eagles have 7,000 feathers.
- Longevity – Wild bald eagles may live as long as thirty years.
More information can be found at http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle-facts.html.
Quote of the week:
“We have flown the air like birds and swum the seas like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers.”
-Martin Luther King Jr.
Happenings this week:
Saturday, January 3rd:
The Lewis County Bluegrass Jam & Stage Show, featuring North Country bluegrass band, begins at 2 p.m. Saturday. For $6, attendees can get dinner provided by Grange members. The dinner is at 5 p.m., with a stage show beginning at 6 p.m. Donations are accepted at the door. Call (360) 520-7281 for more information.
Thursday, January 8th: The American Association of University Women meets here at the Gathering Place throughout the year and their first meeting of 2015 is this next Thursday. Everyone is welcome. This month the speaker is Corine Aiken, Library Manager of the Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library. Her topic will be on libraries in the technology age. Ms. Aiken will explain and show how to utilize the library’s resources. The program starts at 6:45 p.m.
Weather:
The weather will be warming up to daytime highs in the 50’s next week. Sunday and Monday we are supposed to have heavy rain, totaling 3 inches for the two days, so get out your umbrellas. I almost said galoshes – does anybody say that anymore? Have a good week ahead!
