HBEC Eagle Day 2015

Once again this year we have had the blessing to watch two more Bald Eagles hatch and grow thanks to our Harrison Bay Eagle Cam and all of our great viewers, chatters, sponsors and donors. We have always held to the belief that a golf course is more than just a place to chase a little white ball around and put it in a hole.  Golf courses are a fantastic sanctuary for wildlife, insects, plants, and especially, birds.  Our camera gives us, and anyone else around the world, an upclose view of the life and struggles from breaking out of the egg to taking that first leap of faith and launching into the wind to soar free.

 This past Tuesday we got to welcome just a few of the people who have logged on to view the eagles this year when we held our first annual HBEC Eagle Day at Harrison Bay.  In 2011 when we started this project I would not have imagined that it would have gathered such a loyal following or would have brought so many different people from different parts of the nation together, but it has.  Each Tuesday morning we have a nest tour for the locals who want to come view the eagles from the ground but not everyone who watches the camera is local. So, with the help of our moderators, we put together a date when people outside of our local viewing area could come to the course to see the eagles.

The festivities began on Monday night where many of us met, some for the first time, at the Harrison Bay rec hall for a "meet and greet". With over 50 people in attendance from 9 different states we had the great opportunity to watch Harrison Bay State Park Ranger Matt Vawter give us a demonstration of Scarlett, a red tail hawk who is a resident at the Harrison Bay SP Raptor Center.  Scarlett is blind in one eye and so she can not be released into the wild but she has a great home and does wonderful educational programs at Harrison Bay.

One of our moderators, affectionately referred to as PTomahawk, brought this specially decorated cake for the event.  Not sure who to give credit for the skill and creativity but it is amazing.

Special appreciation has to go to the Friends of Harrison Bay State Park for providing food and drinks at the "meet and greet" as well as for the moderators lunch on Tuesday.  Wonderful group of people who have supported, sponsored, and encouraged the eagle cam from the beginning.

Sadly, not everyone that wanted to attend Eagle Day could make it so we turned the camera on some of the visitors so they could wave at all their HBEC friends.  It was nice to see people who had chatted together all year meet each other and put faces with names.  Our eagle cam is like a little family spread out all over the world.

Watching Elliott and Eloise raise their young each year has truly been one of the highlights of my career.  There is a special sense of pride and responsibility in keeping their "home" safe for them and their young and we take that very seriously.  I hope that we will continue to be blessed by these magnificent creatures for many years to come and I hope you are able to get a glimpse of them when you are on the course.

Remember, golf courses are for more than just playing golf.  Take a look around next time you play and take in all the course and the environment has to offer.