This magnificent bird of prey flies over Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming. The bald eagle is part of a conservation success story, for our national bird was once headed toward extinction. A rapid decline in bald eagle populations was one of the motivating factors in establishing the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The chemical pesticide DDT, previously thought to be safe, was causing high mortality rates for bald eagle chicks, as well as many other birds exposed to the chemical. DDT was banned, and the eagles’ numbers began to rise again.
A species no longer at risk
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Tortula moss, Netherlands
-
Great Fountain Geyser, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
-
Palouse farmland, Washington state
-
A hero for the 21st century
-
Vila Franca Islet, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
-
Celebrating women in science
-
A little blue
-
Anniversary of Bryce Canyon National Park
-
A silent witness to history
-
A storied trail marks a century
-
Alpine marmots at Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
-
Celebrating the first day of spring
-
In the Himalayas for International Mountain Day
-
World Reef Day
-
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria, Germany
-
Lion cubs, South Africa
-
Detroit Industry Murals by Diego Rivera
-
To Roswell, and beyond!
-
Celebrating National Panda Day
-
A crane for good luck in today’s big game
-
World Population Day
-
World Book Day
-
Celebrating 200 years of statehood
-
Feelin groovy on Record Store Day
-
It s Republic Day in India
-
Travel Sunday: Flamenco in Granada, Andalusia, Spain
-
Ravens
-
Broken Beach in Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
-
The ‘Night of Nights’
-
Tigh Mor Trossachs on Loch Achray, Scotland