Bald eagle dances on tree

A bald eagle perched upon a tree readies for flight in the forests of Alaska.
The bald eagle is one of about 59 species of eagles worldwide, and is America’s national bird – in spite of Ben Franklin’s suggestion for the wild turkey.
About forty years ago, the bald eagle was in danger of extinction from habitat destruction, illegal shooting, and the pesticide DDT. Conservation actions have helped bald eagles make remarkable recovery. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now estimates there are at least 9,789 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the contiguous United States.

Stock Image #20131102-144301