Today in America we celebrate Independence Day. As the Bald Eagle was chosen in 1782 as the emblem of our country, I thought the 4th of July would be a perfect time to show you a few photos of mature Bald Eagles. Here is a recent photo taken by Kris Rose near Stewart's Point.

And here is a photo taken last year of a Bald Eagle that perched on a snag in the Gualala River. It was taken by Phil Wendt.

Here is what www.baldeagle info.com says about why the Bald Eagle was picked to represent America:

"The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of American, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent.  The eagle represents freedom. Living as he does on the tops of lofty mountains, amid the solitary grandeur of Nature, he has unlimited freedom, whether with strong pinions he sweeps into the valleys below, or upward into the boundless spaces beyond."

Happy 4th of July! Thanks to Kris and Phil for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see more of Phil's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.philwendt.org/