Where Eagles Soar
Imagination takes flight
A couple of years ago I sat and watched two crows cavorting in the air above a deep ravine in Arizona. A light breeze blew up the wash giving them lift. They seemed to have great fun soaring back and forth and up and down the ravine, flapping their wings occasionally to gain altitude or speed.
I imagined what fun I’d have if I could be a bird and fly as they did. I’d soar about and look down upon the earth, as I moved this way or that with a tip of a wing — such pleasure just gliding about with little effort — pure enjoyment.
It reminded me of another time when we were dining with a group of friends on the deck of a cabin on Yellow Lake in northern Wisconsin. We had just finished dinner when someone noticed a flock of Eagles soaring overhead. We all looked up and saw an amazing display. Seventeen eagles circled overhead riding the thermals. Watching them we lost track of time. Our necks grew stiff from looking up. Afterwards, we complimented the hostess on her choice of after-dinner entertainment.
None of us had ever seen such a display — so many of those majestic birds in one place at one time. To be in that formation, to see the houses and lake and boats from high above — what a thrill! I can well understand the allure of hang-gliding, which one of our members had done. He said it was truly awesome to “hang” in the air with nothing below, a full 360-degree view with the only noise that of the air rushing past or sounds of people far below.
Flying with a motor has never intrigued me. I’ve been on countless airplanes, but none inspired the awe I felt watching those birds in flight. To soar quietly through the air and look down on creation — what could be more pleasant than that, especially if you knew you could sweep down and land safely, or perhaps pluck a fish out of the lake for dinner, and eat it perched atop your favorite dead tree?
Loosely inspired by Trista Ainsworth’s poem in
Obviously, watching the Crows and the Eagles brought me great joy as I imagined what it would be like to soar with them.
Happy reading, writing and connecting!
