Welcome to General Chat - GAW Community Area
This General Chat area started off as a place for people to talk about things that are off topic, however it has quickly evolved into a community and has become an intergral part of the GAW experience for many of us.
Based on it's evolving needs and plenty of user feedback, we are trying to bring some order and institute some rules. Please make sure you read these rules and participate in the spirit of this community.
Rules for General Chat
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Be respectful to each other. This is of utmost importance, and comments may be removed if deemed not respectful.
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Avoid long drawn out arguments. This should be a place to relax, not to waste your time needlessly.
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Personal anecdotes, puzzles, cute pics/clips - everything welcome
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Please do not spam at the top level. If you have a lot to post each day, try and post them all together in one top level comment
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Try keep things light. If you are bringing in deep stuff, try not to go overboard.
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Things that are clearly on-topic for this board should be posted as a separate post and not here (except if you are new and still getting the feel of this place)
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If you find people violating these rules, deport them rather than start a argument here.
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Feel free to give feedback as these rules are expected to keep evoloving
In short, imagine this thread to be a local community hall where we all gather and chat daily. Please be respectful to others in the same way
For any of you who watch the SW Fl eagle cam, Harriet has been missing since Thursday. I’ve been sort of irrationally emotional about it but nature is beautiful and brutal at the same time. Our incredible eagles and all they symbolize have to fight daily to survive. Whether it’s attacks from other predators or power lines, windmills, eating poisoned fish or other wildlife. It’s hard. It’s been a long run with her. She is in her 20’s and nobody is sure her exact age but I’ve been following this cam since getting out of the Marine Corps. What a blessing she has been.
She was there when I had pain. She was there when I couldn’t really even speak or write. She was there when I weaned myself off all the meds the VA put me on, there for the SSRI withdrawals that lasted 3 months after finally being off them. She was there when I missed my brother. She was there when I had nights waking up in terror, or when my buddies were having it rough and I didn’t know how to help them. She was there when PDJT was elected and when I bought my first house. She was there when I was on my knees, thanking God for all He has given me and the beauty of nature. She was there when the election was stolen, during the lockdowns and uncertainty. She was there while people were condemning us for not getting a jab or wearing a mask, when I lost multiple friends for having conservative views. She was there while Afghanistan was lost. She was there when it seemed like there was no hope and the only thing in this world that wasn’t depressing or stupid was watching her and M15 and learning all the lessons they taught daily. Every day was a gift.
But mainly, she taught me about perseverance and to keep looking forward, instead of looking back. To not lose my shiz when there is difficulty. To always be calm until it’s time to not be calm. When she lost her eaglet to rat poison - the world (literally people all over the world watch this cam) watched in horror as it took it’s last breaths in the nest. She and her mate were in distress. We felt it. You could see it. But sure enough, she laid another clutch even though it’s rare and sketchy in the South Fl heat. But, she did. And they fledged successfully.
When the Great Horned Owls attacked almost every night.. stealthily swooping in and knocking M15 off of his branch or Harriet out of the nest- they got on with it. Such a nuisance. It’s funny because the eagles don’t retaliate. @ssholes constantly attack them but they calmly, without wavering-protect their mate, nest, territory and eaglets with every fiber of their being every single day. To the death. Which is what Harriet was doing the day she flew off. Alarm calls, distress and then nothing.
Or when Hurricane Ian destroyed the nest. She and M15 built a new one straight away. They started working on it within hours after the storm’s passing. There have been so many lessons- about how crucial it is for cooperation and sharing and the family unit. M15 is feeding the eaglets on his own now. He has to carry on. It isn’t a good scenario because he has to protect the nest, hunt, feed and also sleep at times. Doing it alone is rare but not unheard of. We don’t know what will happen but right now I can hardly watch it. The loss is too great but I’ll shake it off because that’s what Harriet taught me. Move forward. Work on the things you can. Never give up. God will be there along the way and M15 will find a new mate soon, because that’s what they do-they have to survive. There is no alternative.
God bless this beautiful Eagle, Harriet. She has brought so many people so much joy.
This is so beautiful and so sad. Boy do we humans have a lot to learn from these wonderful creatures. I will pray that she finds her way home, to her family ❤️🥲
Thank you very much! I agree! If more people could watch them, they would learn tremendous lessons about life and family. They’re incredible. I so glad they represent America. I’m glad they didn’t pick.. idk, a Bison or something, LOL. But they’re are one of God’s finest creatures.
Yes they sure are.
What a beautiful post, hope she is OK and that you'll see her again.
We all hope so- those who have followed this eagle pair are very concerned (many distraught ppl out there) but also really impressed at dad (M15) and his ability so far to care for the eaglets by himself. He’s doing a stellar job. He is magnificent. I wish I could post pics. I just keep hoping and praying. One important thing I’ve learned with this eagle pair is that they’ve overcome a lot. Injuries, more than one nest collapse, they’ve had CROW (wildlife rehab) remove sick eaglets and waited patiently for their return. Just many scenarios where they powered through. Anyway, sincere thanks.
They are noble, based and cool. A fine example for us to follow.
I cried through your whole post. God bless you and those eagles.
Thank you. I’m sorry I made you cry. I don’t want to bring people down. God bless you and thank you so much.
Sometimes tears are the heart's method of finding release so that one can be lifted up. Not all tears are evil. Some tears are good.
Please, please don’t be sorry. You touched my heart. I prayed for you today.
Wow, that means a lot. Thank so much.
Wow. Powerful words. Thank you for sharing, and God bless.
God bless you and thank you!!