I wasn’t surprised that it was carrion—most likely roadkill—that brought a convocation of the big birds to the valley this time of years. The bald eagles are very good looking and lazy. They prefer scavenging or stealing food from other birds, such as ospreys. Only as a last resort do they hunt.

They’ve long been an important symbol in North America, though it’s not their opportunism that attracts the glory. They are capable of taking muskrats, hares, pheasants, ducks, gulls and Great Blue Herons, but they are also fond of garbage dumps in Alaska. Americans see them as symbols of a martial spirit in defense of freedom. I sort of like the symbolism of a charming loafer.

I’m glad their populations have rebounded after huge losses during the 20th century. There’s a lot we don’t know, such as how they might adapt to the increasing human development of landscapes near large bodies of water, which are favorite nesting sites. They like to keep their distance from people.