Free Nature Desktops from the Sportsmen's Page.

Check out the beautiful desktops showing our two American Bald Eagles nesting (jury is still out) at the Almond Lake (Almond Dam) - Almond, NY. We (our family) call the mating pair of Eagles "Peter" and "Polly" which may sound odd or cliché to some but their is historic significance to these names.

You see the valley containing the town of Almond, NY was first settled in 1796 near what is known today as the Karr Valley Road (just south of the Almond Dam). And the first marriage in the settlement was between Mr. Peter Putnam and Miss Polly Waters in 1804. So we thought it fitting to name this mating pair of American Bald Eagles who chose to call this valley their home in honor of the valley's first married couple.

American Bald Eagle Factoids:

• Did you know? The American Bald Eagle is our National Bird. Ben Franklin desired that the wild turkey should be designated as such.

• Did you know? The adult American Bald Eagle's most striking characteristic is its white head which is why it is called "bald" and the scientific name is "leucocephalus," which means "named for its color - white head."

• Did you know? American Bald Eagles - unlike many birds in the US do not differ greatly in plumage making it harder to tell them apart as male and/or female

• Did you know? Given the same habitat, nutrition and general health conditions the female American Bald Eagle is typically a little larger than the male American Bald Eagle (even as much as 1/3 larger).

• Did you know? When the female of a species is larger than the male it is known as "reverse sexual dimorphism." This holds true for most raptors including the American Bald Eagle. In most species of birds just the opposite is true. Usually the males are larger which is known as "sexual dimorphism."

• Did you know? American Bald Eagles have a wingspan of between 6 and 7 feet and can weigh between 8 to 15 lbs.

• Did you know? American Bald Eagles mate literally 'til death do us part' and will only seek a new mate when their existing mate has died.

• Did you know? American Bald Eagles reach full maturity at 5 years of age.

Click Here for the NYSDEC American Bald Eagle Breeding Summary for 2005 courtesy of Mr. Peter Nye

PLEASE NOTE: We are happy to share these great photos. These pictures are provided free of charge so you and your family can enjoy these awesome Eagles. We take these photos from a great distance and zoom in on the birds so we don't disturb them. It has come to our attention that some "over eager" visitors to the Lake may be trying to get too close to the birds and their suspected nest. Please do not disturb the birds or encroach on their nesting area. Be patient, take your time and sit back and wait - and you will get some great shots without "ruffling any feathers". Thank you.

Canacadea - Is a Seneca Indian name given to the valley where the villages of Alfred and Almond settled. There are a couple of rural legends that have a rather odd idea of what the term means but according to "NATIVE AMERICAN WATER BODY AND PLACE NAMES WITHIN THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN AND SURROUNDING SUB BASINS" published by Mr. Steven A. Runkle (Engineer devoted to learning and defining Native American terms and names along the Susquehanna River Basin) the term Canacadea is a Seneca Indian name given to the valley that means, "Where the heavens rest upon the earth."

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