Eagle Update

by | Apr 29, 2016 | 18 comments

This is a follow-up to a previous post, ā€œYour Brokenness is Beautifulā€

Thank you all for keeping the bald eagle alive in your hearts these past weeks. I know it made a difference. I know he felt it.

So many of you have reached out asking about him. After an impressive fight for his life, he died from his injuries at a rehabilitation facility in Vancouver.

The eagle received excellent care at Salt Spring wildlife rescue. Given how skinny he was, and the dirt embedded in his wings, it seemed heā€™d been grounded for some time when he landed in my yard, possibly weeks.

They ran tests, hydrated, fed, and stabilized him. He couldnā€™t stand or walk, but there were no visible injuries. *Blood tests ruled out lead poisoning.

The eagle was moved to one of the best raptor rehabilitation facilities in British Columbia,Ā Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation FacilityĀ (O.W.L).

He was doing okay, but still partially paralyzed. They pampered and nurtured him, stretched his wings every day, and he was eating well. There was hope of rehabilitation and an eventual release. But something else was going on; after a bad bout of diarrhea, he died overnight in their care.

Many eagles suffer head trauma from being hit by cars. But because he wasnā€™t near traffic, O.W.L. said he likely had a fight with another eagle. March is the height of eagle mating season, and itā€™s not uncommon for fighting males to get seriously injured.

The night before my eagle encounter, I was feeling battered and bruised, like the fight had gone out of me.

I told a friend I needed aĀ shamanic healingĀ session, which always helps when my wounds feel mysteriously ancient. Shamanic work uses the symbolism of nature and ancient ritual to retrieve soul-parts that are lost. It restores personal power, and helps us find animal allies to support us on the next leg of our journey.

It turned out the shamanic session came to me, literally dropping from the sky. I take this as a great reminder to us all, of the power of asking for what we need!

Since my eagle encounter, Iā€™ve felt those sharp eyes with me every time I need them. When my confidence wanes, or if I feel defeated or sad about the state of humanity, I picture him staring me down.

You can use this medicine too. The eagle-eye image above is meant to help invoke that great warrior spirit, whenever we need it most.

As the rehab vet said, ā€œeagles always fight to the end.ā€

I think we all need focus right now. Distraction and drama are at an all-time high. If weā€™re not careful with our energy, we can get drawn into arguments over trivial things, or mindlessly compete for a slice of the pie. The pie doesnā€™t matter; the world is waking up to this truth. Love, truth, and seeing ourselves in each other, is what matters. We do not need to fight and compete to the deathā€“we need to stay on target.

Do not let the darkness of this world distract you from the work youā€™re here to do.

This week I had the chance to visit O.W.L. and get a peek into the work they do. It was fascinating to learn they preserve dead raptors, and certain groups can apply to use them for education, taxidermy and other purposes. First Nations communities often take the dead eagles and use the feathers in sacred ceremonies. I like to think our eagleā€™s feathers are being cherished in this way.

As part of their open house this week, O.W.L. released a rehabilitated bald eagle back into the wild, very similar to this video below from 2014.

In my mind, this is our eagle being released. Free from pain and suffering, he returns to the wild mystery; he is released in death, the ultimate healing.

With love,
Tamika

*Bald eagles hunt and scavenge for their food. They often feed on carcasses and gut piles left in fields by hunters that are riddled with lead fragments, and the fish or waterfowl they catch often contain lead weights. This is deadly for raptor populations. Please help ā€œget the lead outā€ by educating others on the dangers of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle.

Was this update helpful today? If so, Iā€™d love to hear from you in the comments below.

18 Comments

  1. Carolyn Hill

    I am heartened to hear that the broken eagle had a time of nourishment and comfort before he passed. For me, eagles and birds of prey are regularly near and much cherished. I count on seeing a raptor when I need to find my fierceness and resolve. Hawks and falcons are regular sightings and I feel very honoured when I encounter an eagle. Strong, Fierce, Resolute, Uncompromising, Focused…Thank you for this post and your words of inspiration. May we see ourselves in each other….

    Reply
    • Tamika

      I love it that you and the raptors find each other, Carolyn. A mystical exchange for them too, I do believe. xOm

      Reply
  2. Sandra Thornton

    Tamika
    Thanks for letting us know about the wounded eagle. Although this eagle’s life (as we know it) ended, it’s so wonderful that there are organizations that work to help and rehabilitate wild birds and animals and that there are people like you who see/hear the messages being conveyed. There is so much to learn ā¤ļø

    Reply
    • Tamika

      I was so moved by O.W.L.’s work, and the rescue center here on SSI. Their endless, and often unnoticed work (eagles don’t write blogs!), was uplifting for me too. So many of them are nursed back to health and freedom! Thanks for your words, Sandra. XO

      Reply
  3. cathy morgan

    Thanks Tamika,
    Tears came up when I read that he died, but really grateful that you helped him (and he helped you) and even went to the facility that helped him.
    Thanks for sharing and your words.

    Reply
    • Tamika

      To be moved this way, you’re part of his life too, Cathy. Thank you for being part of his journeyā€“it means more than you know. xx

      Reply
  4. Reina Tendler

    Thank you Tamika, your eagle was wise to come to you, you are a very special soul May he rest in peace, may you feel peace, you are love
    xoxo

    Reply
    • Tamika

      Thank you dear Reina. You are a light. xOm

      Reply
  5. Donna Hammond

    Thank you Tamika for keeping us updated on the wonderful eagle you found or who found you when you needed him the most. It is so good to know that there are people like OWL and our own Salt Haven rescue here close to home. I read about their adventures every week and marvel at their knowledge and love of animals.

    Reply
    • Tamika

      I love Salthaven Donna! And I love YOU! xoxo

      Reply
  6. Frank

    Thank you for this update. Touching insight into your connection with this soul. Look after yourself!

    Reply
    • Tamika

      Thank you Frank! I could never have imagined the eagle would influence so many peopleā€“he had a unique purpose, and served it well. Sending love to you, my friend.

      Reply
  7. Lindsay

    The Eagle could not spread his wings so instead he spread his lessons through you. We have all had a taste of this healing now – thank you for sharing.
    And thank you for loving animals as fiercely as you do. Xo

    Reply
    • Tamika

      I love that Lindsay. Keep spreading your wings, as you so eloquently do! xOm

      Reply
  8. Lotus Why

    Such beauty and yet sadness!
    Because we live close to the Thames River and Gibbons Park, we have had the priviledge to see eagles soaring around this vicinity. Whenever we have a sighting we stand in awe, mesmerized by the magnificence.
    The Spirit of Garudasana is alive. To all the wingeds!
    Speaking of OWL, at Gibbons Park two great horned owls were hatched a few weeks ago. The city had to put up signs “to respect their privacy” because people were staked out all day with their telephoto lens and tripods aimed at the nest.
    Have yet to see the movie “The messenger” about birds.
    much love to you Tamika,
    Lotus

    Reply
    • Tamika

      Lotus, “The Messenger” looks absolutely intriguing – thank you for the recommendation. And thank you for your reverence for all the winged ones; they really are gifts from above! XOXO

      Reply
  9. Brenda

    Thank you for updating us on the Eagle & his journey. What an inspiration. I’m grateful for his messages and medicine.
    Thank you also for your work in this world & for your gentle nudges to me to stay true & keep moving in the direction of my soul. I am grateful. much love to you, Brenda

    Reply
    • Tamika

      Soul-sister love to you always Brenda XX

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *