The Eagles have landed (VA)

[Donna]

(Although they weren't suppose to) From Janet

It’s not 17 Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies, but a woman in Sterling, Virginia came home to find an unusual pair of animals on her front yard when she returned from a morning of Christmas shopping.  Jan Hobbs, 64, discovered a pair of bald eagles in her front yard, their talons tangled together.  Sterling, a suburb of Washington, D.C., is not exactly an eagle hotbed.  In fact, Hobbs says she’s lived in her home on Gordon Street since 1971 and has never seen a bald eagle before, until her close encounter.

“I pulled into the driveway, and when I opened the door, I heard this horrible racket,â€� Hobbs said.  She described how the eagles appeared to be locked together, flapping their wings in an attempt to loosen themselves from whatever was holding them together.  She speculates, â€�They might have gotten their talons tangled.  They were probably as scared of me as I was in awe of them.â€�

She called her daughter, called animal control, and then got out her camera, capturing the image of the tangled bald eagles on her yard.  However, before the authorities could arrive, the animals were able to untangle themselves and successfully flew away.  There are 680 breeding pairs of bald eagles in Virginia, which is appropriate considering its proximity to Washington, D.C. and its status as our national animal symbol.

Glad they are OK, could have been much worse.

[Annette]

What exciting story!

[valhalla]

Although I have never seen it, this is part of the pair bonding mating ritual.  They are supposed to unlock tallons before they hit the ground.  Thanks for posting this, Donna!

[annieinelkhart]

WOW!  I bet there was a territorial battle going on! I think I would be worried about those two hurting eachother! 
 Two days ago as we were leaving to go fishing, I heard this "squawkie" noise and looked out the truck window and UP and there was a pair soaring over head!  We so rarely see them in our hometown so being able to see them here in Florida is such a wonderful treat!  There also is an osprey nest right by our fishing bridge!  Intend to do some picture taking when I get tired of feeding the fish! 

[valhalla]

WOW!  I bet there was a territorial battle going on! I think I would be worried about those two hurting eachother! 

No, Annie - this is part of the pair bounding mating ritual dance.  No territory, just dancing and getting wrapped up in the moment 

[MAK]

WOW!  I bet there was a territorial battle going on! I think I would be worried about those two hurting eachother! 

No, Annie - this is part of the pair bounding mating ritual dance.  No territory, just dancing and getting wrapped up in the moment 

It's all for love!