Steve Lewis
On Saturday afternoon’s tour, we heard the high-pitched piping sounds that are characteristic of an eagle call. Hearing our national bird often inspires amusement rather than awe. Two mature bald eagles perched just across the water. Were they calling out to their young?
On Tuesday, we watched a bald eagle swoop down and snatch a fish out of the water, then fly to a tree near the shore We approached slowly. When we got close enough, we saw the eagle reaching down and finishing off the fish in its talons. The bird then soared directly over the boat, giving us a great close-up view before it soared out of sight.
On Wednesday, my crew of fifth graders from Tallulah Falls School spotted a bear cub on the western shore of the Thompson River. We slowly followed as it moved south. One student saw the momma bear too! I’m sure that momma had been watching us carefully the whole time.
We teach our students in the Jocassee Wild Child program the importance of maintaining these wild spaces for our wild friends in the woods, so it’s fabulous when we get a chance to see them up close! ~Steve Lewis, JLT guide and Jocassee Wild Child educator