(April 4, 2001) - Many thanks to our hosts for a fabulous day!!! They are from Arizona Game and Fish Department, James (Jamie) Driscoll (Bald Eagle Biologist) and John Koloszar (Nongame Wildlife Specialist), and from the Eagle Watchers, Jen Ottinger. We are from the Verde NRCD, Kaki Rowland (Supervisor) and myself, Richard Becker (Clerk), and my wife, Rita Becker.

The trip: Leaving Camp Verde, we drove for over an hour on treacherous back roads to the bald eagle nest site on the Verde River. We then made our way on foot to the edge of the cliff above where the nest was about 100 feet below. The beautiful bald eagle parents with their classic white heads and tails were interested in what we were doing and anxiously flew back and forth checking us out. Then they perched across the river and watched as Jamie repelled down the cliff to the nest where the 2 young eaglets (about 6 weeks old) waited. He put hoods on their heads and booties on their sharp talons and then secured them in a travel bag which John then pulled up the cliff on a rope.

Jamie inspected the nest and bagged anything of interest and then settled down in the nest for a nap while John worked with the eaglets above. With help from Jen and Rita, John took each eaglet in turn and measured the talons, wings, beak, and weight (about 7.7 pounds) and then tagged each leg with a metal identification band. He also took a blood sample from one eaglet. After their trying ordeal, each eaglet got a refreshing spray down from a water bottle and their first ever drink of water.

Then it was photo-op time as the guests had their picture taken while holding an eaglet with the hood removed so John could check the eyes for cataracts. With the hoods put back on, the eaglets were again secured in their travel bag for their trip back down the rope to their nest. Jamie awoke from his nap to receive the bag and release the eaglets back into their home, removing the hoods and booties. He said his goodbyes and climbed back up the cliff, leaving the eaglets to embark on their hopefully long and happy lives.