Dan Flies Away

Between February 12,2024 and April 21,2024 I spent every Sunday visiting two Bald Eaglets, Dan and Shay, at Hunting Island State Park in Beufort, SC. Dan was the larger of the two. On April 21st I could hear one of them vocalizing loudly, and just one when it was usually both. I saw that only Shay was in the nest. It was a bittersweet moment, Dan had been branching the week before and I knew this moment was coming, an end to this part of my journey in nature.
To my surprise, Dan swooped in and landed in a tree behind me. I turned as he unfurled and beat his wings, as if showing them off to me along with his new superpower! He seemed to be telling me.. "Look at me! I can FLY!"
After a pause he took flight down the lagoon trail. I followed, hoping to catch a better glimpse of him flying. He landed in a tree, then turned to look at me and showed off his wings again. I spent a few minutes photographing him, then he flew again! I followed to two more trees, both times he stopped and looked at me, proud of himself and wanting me to see it. Say what you will, but I believe he recognized me after all the time I spent watching him and photographing him, sometimes even talking to him.
At the last tree, we locked eyes one last time. I switched my camera to video and told him, "Fly Dan! Godspeed and live a good life!" He gave me one last look and flew... I saw him for the last time. I hope wherever he is life is good and if he returns to the place of his birth in the future maybe he will bless me with another visit.
#birdphotography #birds #birdsounds #wildlife #baldeagle #eagles #flyeaglesfly #lumix #huntingislandstatepark