Bald eagle presentation set for Saturday at Elk Country Visitors Center
ELK COUNTY- This Saturday at 2 p.m, Rick Rupprecht will present an interactive powerpoint on bald eagles at the Elk Country Visitors Center.
In Rupprecht’s presentation, he will focus on the physical characteristics, life cycle, and habitat of the bald eagle through several pictures and videos.
Rupprecht grew up in St. Marys, but has been living in New York state since 1976.
For his day job, he worked as a math teacher at Jamestown Community College, but always found time to spend outdoors.
He has utilized his passion for his love for the outdoors volunteering at the Audubon Community Nature Center in Jamestown, New York.
With his extended history of volunteerism at this nature center, his background is well-established in giving these types of presentations on a variety of wildlife and working with nature in many types of ways.
The avid outdoorsmen shared a couple interesting facts about bald eagles ahead of this presentation.
When a bald eagle is above a body of water trying to nab a fish, they use their amazing eyesight to their advantage watching the fish swim.
A bald eagle has 1,000 times better eyesight than humans, according to Rupprecht.
With their vice griplike talons, they close on their prey until they return to the nest or other destination.
Although they may look bulky in appearance, an eagle only weighs in the range of eight to twelve pounds.
Due to this, they can only fly with prey so far. As part of his presentation, Rupprecht will show a bald eagle collecting a deceased muskrat off the water.
An average weight of a muskrat falls within two to four pounds, and in this case, the rodent is heavier due to moisture incurred from the water.
In the video, the bald eagle sinks into the water and swims by working its wings similar to a breaststroke motion until it reaches the bank to release the muskrat.
Rupprecht is eager to share the full information to share with attendees on Saturday about this bird that is an iconic symbol in American culture.
“These presentations are fun, educational and entertaining,” Rupprecht said. “If you come to one of these talks you are going to have fun.”
Rupprecht will also be presenting on the Pennsylvania timber rattlesnake at the Elk Country Visitors Center in June.