Reflection

Reflection

Throughout my life, I have watched the birds in the sky, hoping to fly away with them. Eagles, in particular, would excite me so much that, when I was little, I would often stare at the sky for hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of them. When I realized that the birds I loved were in danger of extinction, I was devastated. Thus, when I was given the opportunity to help a local ornithologist, Peggy Shrum, in the yearly bald eagle census, I quickly prepared for the delicate process of tagging them. Instead of finding these birds, we found destroyed nests and scattered feathers. This experience reminded me just how important, and scarce, these birds are. Scattered nearby were skeletons of other animals; their prey. Eagles regulate so many other species, and without them, the ecosystem around us will shatter. Painting this piece reminded me of the majesty of these raptors and the natural world, and I was once again struck with gratitude that I am able to see it every day. I don't usually work with paints, instead preferring to stick with colored pencils. However, the intricacies of the feathers etching bald eagle wings, I felt, were too great to be handled with that medium. So instead, I used acrylic, and paid special attention to the strength of these birds. Through this theme of personal connection, I was forced to forgo my usual focus on large-scale effects of human actions in favor of a single moment that inspired me. Through this, I realized that I personally hold an incredible emotional connection to the natural world.