Just about a week after I wrote a story about the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey releasing its 800th rehabilitated Bald Eagle into the wild, I received a surprise text: Would I like to release eagle No. 801? The answer, of course, was YES!
I found out a friend helped in getting me to be part of the release, and I’m so grateful he did. It was an incredible experience.
You can read all about it in the short story I wrote for the Orlando Sentinel. But I also want to share friend Tim Barker’s incredible photos of the release as well as some shot by the Birds of Prey center.
It was an unforgettable day!
Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. Eagle getting secured from its recovery area at the birds of prey center. (Courtesy Tim Barker)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. Eagle getting an ID band before its release. (Courtesy Tim Barker)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. Receiving instructions about the release. (Courtesy Tim Barker)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. Making sure the hood is ready to come off the eagle before its release. (Courtesy Tim Barker)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. Getting ready to have the eagle transferred to me. (Courtesy Audubon Center for Birds of Prey)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. Taking custody of the eagle. (Courtesy Audubon Center for Birds of Prey)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. Removing the hood from the eagle’s head. (Courtesy Tim Barker)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. I’m talking the eagle telling her it’s almost time for her to fly away. (Courtesy Tim Barker)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. Getting ready to set the bird free. (Courtesy Audubon Center for Birds of Prey)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. Ready to let the eagle go. (Courtesy Tim Barker)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. Gently tossing the eagle up in the air for its release. (Courtesy Tim Barker)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. This eagle takes off for a second but isn’t ready to flyaway just yet. (Courtesy Tim Barker)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. After spending a few seconds on the ground to get her bearings, the eagle takes off. (Courtesy Tim Barker)Bald Eagle release, Lake County, December 2025. The eagle is free and back in the wild. (Courtesy Tim Barker)
Even though it’s the slow summer season for birding, I know that a visit to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive will usually supply something memorable. And that was the case when I visited on Saturday, July 22.
