eagle - WKTV Journal

By Catherine Kooyers
WKTV Contributor

In 2017, Wyoming resident Catherine Kooyers wrote about the live eagle camera at the Pitchard Nest in Southwest Florida.

Through that story, Kooyers was pleasantly surprised at the number of Michiganders who mentioned that they have visited those nests and/or continue to monitor them.

The eagle cam operated by Florida-based Dick Pritchett Real Estate, Inc. has gone down due to Hurricane Ian. Neither Harriet or M15 have been seen since the storm. (Courtesy, Pritchett Real Estate, Inc.)

As many know, Hurricane Ian hit Florida earlier this week. This was listed as a category 4 storm meaning that well-built houses could sustained substantial damage such as lost of roofs or exterior walls and that trees could be snapped in half or uprooted with debris being a serious hazard.

Hurricane Ian landed near the Ft. Myers area, where one of nests was located. Kooyer did some research and discovered that the people in Ft. Myers have “put brave boots on” posting updates and photos.

Kooyer provides us with an update:

Some nests survived, others did not

Early reports show Sanibel Island devastated and it is unlikely nests survived but the teams remain hopeful.

The northeast Florida site reported their nest survived.

The southwest Florida nest on Pritchett property as well the residence took a direct hit from Hurricane Ian. The residential property and buildings are reportedly flooded and damaged but crews were starting repairs already. They had three cameras up and ready for the new season.

It was reported that one tree fell. The camera attached maybe salvageable. One tree and camera survived the hurricane. However, the saddest part is the main tree which contained the gigantic eagle nest took a direct hit. The highly observed nest is gone and many key branches are gone.

Those who have viewed the nest may have recalled that it was was huge, weighed tons and was several feet deep. I recall a person being lifted by crane into the nest to retrieve ill eaglets. The size of that nest was mind-blowing and now, it is simply gone. In the photos, it is nowhere to be seen.

What happened to the eagles?

The eagles, Harriet and M15, were last photographed and seen hours before Hurricane Ian hit landfall. I have not seen a report of any sightings of them since, but we retain hope they hunkered down someplace safe and will be back. If they survived and If they are well enough, there is reason to believe they will rebuild. One person even offered to load and deliver a truck of eagle-nest-size branches so the eagles would have the supplies they need to rebuild. But if the eagles do decide to rebuilt, whether it will be in the same location is uncertain.

The two eagles had started a second nest last year, but it was taken over by owls for a very vicious period. The territorial fights between the eagles and owls had us all holding our breath. Given all that, the team will wait to see which cameras are workable, if and when the eagles can come back and where the eagles do build. With all the missing trees and nests, past experiences showed there will be intense wildlife competition for remaining trees to rebuild in as the new nesting season begins.

An amazing season to start bird watching

In short, it is hard saying goodbye to that special nest that held so many stories and memories. Stories that amused us, taught us life lessons and motivated us to be better people with more understanding of the creatures that share our planet. I am not ready to write off Harriet or M yet. They are resilient and strong. Maybe their offspring survived and will return.

I do believe this would be an unusually amazing season to watch or start watching Florida Eagle cams and forums. It is fascinating watching the way they build homes that survive most hurricanes, then the new life cycle starts as they team up to provide for, protect and train the next generation of birds. I pray Harriet and M15 come back. But if they do not, I do suspect another eagle pair or owl will show up to entertain, educate and motivate us.

A word of thanks

Meanwhile, my heart goes out to the humans who went through so much and have much ahead. I have been advised a lot of help is there and coming. A special thanks to the Pritchett family which shares its eagles and property even as they themselves rebuild. A deep gratitude to the photographers who go to that site in all weather to share so many views, events perspectives with us who are miles away. And how super amazing are the people who set up the websites and forums hours after the hurricane. And it takes a brave person to mount and maintain the cameras with protective eagles nearby. Whatever happens in the next days and weeks, we appreciated times and memories past, but we also move forward.

If it helps, I watch the Pritchett Family live cams and forums. I also recommend highly the Hancock Wildlife Foundation live cam links. They have links to many cams of other species as well.

Ruth Jones-Hairston was a respected educator for Grand Rapids Public Schools and dedicated John Ball Zoo supporter. In honor of Ruth, the Zoo announced it would name its new bald eagle after her. (Supplied)

By Darci David
John Ball Zoo

John Ball Zoo announces that they will be honoring the legacy and memory of Ruth Jones-Hairston by naming their new bald eagle ‘Ruth’.

Ruth Jones-Hairston, who passed away in June of 2019, was an important part of Grand Rapids and the John Ball Zoo community. As an educator, she was both a teacher and principal in the Grand Rapids Public Schools. She worked hard to make sure every child knew they were important and could succeed. In retirement, she started Judah Educational Consultants.

Jones-Hairston served on the board for John Ball Zoo, where she inspired and helped found the Zoo’s JUMP program. She envisioned the children and families of Grand Rapids being able to enjoy the Zoo regardless of means or income level. Since it started, this program has allowed hundreds of thousands of families to enjoy the Zoo and helped make us a Zoo for all in the community.

“Naming the bald eagle after Ruth is a great way to honor someone who started an inclusive program at the Zoo and exemplified our values of conservation, education, community, and celebrate,” said Mike Lomonaco, Chief Community Engagement Officer for John Ball Zoo.

Zsanara Hoskins, Ruth’s daughter, commented about this special naming. “What an honor. Our mother represents everything that the eagle symbolizes and more! It is touching to know that her life, her beliefs, her “walk”, touched the lives of so many including the staff and community of John Ball Zoo so much so that they would want to honor her this way. We can’t wait to visit Ruth the eagle as a family at the Zoo.”

Ruth, the bald eagle, is 3-years-old. She was injured and unable to fly long distances making it difficult for her to survive in the wild. (Supplied)

A fun fact is that Jones-Hairston’s first school where she was a principal was Henry Paideia Academy and their mascot was the eagle.

Ruth, the bald eagle, is now in the bald eagle habitat near the Living Shores Aquarium at the Zoo. This bald eagle was hurt in the wild and came to John Ball Zoo from Wings of Wonder Raptor Sanctuary located in northern Michigan after a two month rehab. Ruth can now fly, but one wing still has issues and causes her to tire too quickly to survive in the wild.

Guests will see that Ruth looks different than Bea, the other bald eagle in the habitat. This is because Ruth is only 3-years-old and still has her juvenile feathers. These will molt into adult plumage in the next couple of years.

“We are excited for guests to see and learn about Ruth, the bald eagle, on their next visit to John Ball Zoo,” Lomonaco said. “Like Ruth Jones-Hairston, Ruth the bald eagle will help educate the community to appreciate wildlife, with grace and beauty, while also educating on the role John Ball Zoo plays in the saving of wildlife and wild habitats.”

John Ball Zoo is located on Fulton Ave., one mile west of downtown Grand Rapids. For more information www.jbzoo.org or 616-336-4301.