A bitter sweet Memory of Harriet

Harriet was the female partner of M15 - the world famous American bald eagles in Southwest Florida. Their webcam is seen by millions all over the world. People from Germany have made special trips to their nest site just to see them in action - rebuilding their nest after a storm, mating, hatching baby eaglets and feeding them till they leave the nest.

Harriet was last seen leaving her nest in the afternoon of February 2, 2023. She never returned. Speculations abound as to the reason. There was an eagle intruder earlier in the day. One of the speculations is that she flew off to challenge the intruder and was subsequently injured to the point where she was not able to fly. She then fell prey to wild animals on the ground. Another equally plausible explanation is that Harriet was ill and she flew off into the wild to die. Animals do that.

There are several bitter sweet memories of Harriet and her relationship with M15. They were seen flying together a day after their baby eaglet died from ingesting food tainted with rat poison. Click here to see the icon photo captured by Norman Wei.