Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A . C O M 79 "Will you notify the park orni- thologist and send someone out to help him?" I ask. She agrees. My biggest fear now, other than that he will be dead by the time I get back, is that a law enforce- ment ranger will respond or happen by and "dispatch" him before help arrives. When I get back, the full August after- noon sun is baking him. He's panting. He has engaged the nictitating membrane that protects his eyes and spread his wings on either side for stability and ventilation. He's weaker than when I first saw him. Eric and I stand with our backs to the sun in front of him to give him shade and wait. I talk to him. I tell him he's going to be OK, that I'm not going to let him die. I tell him he's beautiful; that I'm so sorry; that help is coming. It takes about five years for a bald eagle to grow a crop of white feathers on its head and tail. Until then, an adolescent's feathers are a mottled gray, brown, and white. He's out on his own hunting and establishing territories but is still young and inexperienced. is one has learned a hard lesson about the road. I keep glancing to the north and about 45 minutes after my call, I see a big white pickup truck. Government plates — yes, cage in the back — fabulous. It pulls over and the park ornithology tech jumps out. She shoots me a con- cerned glance, dons heavy leather gloves, and steps up to the bird. "Oh, my God," is all she can say. We wrap him in the green fleece throw I keep in the back of my car and lay him in the cage. He does not resist. e Montana Raptor Conservation Center in Bozeman, Montana, some 80 miles away, has agreed to take him. ere is no time to spare. His condition is very critical. Eric and I follow until they leave the park. Our first report from the Raptor Center comes early the next day. It is sobering. ey have performed a CAT scan. e good news is that he appears to have no broken bones, amazing considering the extent of his other injuries. But his lungs are filled with fluid and he has extensive internal bleeding, consistent with the hypothesis that he had been hit by a vehicle. e thought now is that he was hit by the upper box of a high profile vehicle, maybe as he swooped low over the road. He is pooping blood. He is on IV fluids. e next few hours will be critical. His chances are about 50/50. MSU Billings oers a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Adventure Leadership preparing students for careers in Outdoor Recreation; City, State, and National Parks; Camp Management; U.S. Forest Service; Guiding; Experiential Education; Adventure Travel; and more! The curriculum oers a variety of classes and certifications including Wilderness First Responder, Ropes Rescue, Leave No Trace, Swift Water Rescue, and more. From the outdoor enthusiast to the outdoor professional… your path to success starts at MSU Billings! To find out more, visit msubillings.edu/oal today! Or call 406.657.2229 Learn more about Dillon Key, rock climber and OAL student, at msubillings.edu/snapshots/ 2014-15/key.htm Learn more about Dillon Key, rock climber and OAL student, at msubillings.edu/snapshots/ 2014-15/key.htm Learn more about Dillon Key, rock climber and OAL student, at msubillings.edu/snapshots/ 2014-15/key.htm OUTDOOR ADVENTURE LEADERSHIP CONTINUED F I N D Y OU R A D V E N T U R E • SP I R I T A N D I N S P I R A T I O N • YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

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