TRR photo by Stephen Stuart Mark Crouthamel returned to Narrowsburg this year to create another masterful work of ice art for EagleFest. This year, he had no fear of his creation melting as he put it together. In fact, the sculpture was still standing days later, pictured above illuminated by Main Street lights. (Click for larger image)

New York’s eagle capital celebrates

By CHRIS CONROY

NARROWSBURG, NY — Bald eagles are loyal and smart creatures.

They mate for life, return to the same spots year after year and are quick to adapt to new situations.

None of this natural dedication helped them avoid near-extinction. To do that, people had to get involved. Due to decades of hard work by dedicated people keeping the large birds out of harm’s way and helping those that have fallen prey to misfortune, the bald eagle population in the United States has come back from the brink of extinction.

Bill Streeter is one of those people. Streeter, as the executive director of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center, works every day to educate those around him of the hazards his feathered friends face. Most of those hazards are man-made.

Presenting the raptor center’s popular “Birds of Prey” lecture at the second annual Narrowsburg EagleFest on January 18, Streeter brought a handful of birds that he and members of the center had nursed back to health. Many of the birds had been shot; others had been hit by swiftly moving vehicles. One had been “rescued” from a “rescuer” who caused more harm nursing the bird back to health.