The bald eagle, with its distinctive white head, sweeping wing span and powerful talons, is a striking symbol of America, found throughout the nation. These majestic birds are especially observed during January, National Bald Eagle Watch Month. According to Bald Eagle Information.com, eagles have been observed in every state, except Hawaii. The site also contains a directory of sightings of the massive bird that have been reported throughout Ohio, even in Central Ohio, along the Scioto River and elsewhere near the Columbus Zoo and even in the vicinity of Easton and other places in metro Columbus.
Once an endangered species, bald eagles are now doing well throughout the state. Ohio Department of Natural Resources keeps track of the growing eagle population with its nesting report on the species and provides an eagle viewing map to locate sites where eagles can be seen.
Eagles in the Scriptures:
Among the birds mentioned in the Bible, we find a number of references to eagles, 34 in the King James Version. One of my favorite passages connected with eagles speaks of protection and provision in speaking to the Children of Israel when they escaped from the bondage of Egypt:
Exodus 19:4
You have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.
Watching an eagle in flight is awe-inspiring, as Proverbs 30:18-19 proclaim:
There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
One of the most recognized references to eagles occurs in Isaiah 40:31:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
In the blog “Birds of the Bible” Lee Dusing examines “Birdwatching from a Christian Perspective” and provides fascinating commentary on “eagle renewal” with references to Isaiah 40:31 and other scriptures, along with astounding photography of the growth stages of an eagle. Lee notes that the eagle spoken of in Scriptures is actually a golden eagle, indigenous to the Middle East and beyond, rather than the bald eagle which is found throughout North America. Click here to learn more about “eagle renewal.”
Jeff Conte offers a moving rendition of “Wings as Eagles,” based on Isaiah 40:28-31 with a video clip of an eagle in flight.
This video played during Bald Eagle Watch Month reminds us of the awesome beauty and majesty of some of God ‘s most amazing creations: eagles.
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