Solitude isn't for everyone

[Alan Gage]

The video above boasts the large size of golden eagles, giving statistics much greater than any North American sources I've seen. Since the golden eagles live many other places around the globe I don't know if they grow larger in these other areas or, as I suspect, they're quoting the weights of birds bred for hunting. They seem to be a popular sporting bird and I'd be surprised if they weren't bred for size and ferocity. I believe most of the many videos showing golden eagles attacking fox, deer, and other large prey were captive eagles trained to hunt. I'd be very surprised if a wild bird would be as reckless as many of these seem to be. Early on in the video they state they're dangerous to humans and they show a golden eagle swooping down to pick up a baby. This is an old video and is not real. If I recall it was created by someone as a college assignment in video editing.

I was moose hunting in Matane Park. I came around a corner and spooked 5 goldens that were feasting on a gut pile. So they do go for carrion

Yes, I didn't mean to say they didn't eat carrion but rather they didn't seem to be so fond of it as bald eagles. I did however state they don't eat much fish but after doing some more reading I've seen other sources saying fish can be a high percentage of their diet.

I don't doubt that any of our Michigan members might have seen a golden eagle. Certainly they do migrate through the area and can be seen there and many other places in the US.

Alan

 

[lowangle al]

As far as size goes, bald eagles vary pretty much with some looking huge compared to others. I have also noticed that immature balds often look bigger than adults. I thought it was because their dark heads and tails are more visible against a light sky.

After watching that video I'm more convinced that there was a golden showing up on my lake in Pa. a few years ago.

 

[WonderMonkey]

I can't say one over the other. When I do one, I plan the other next.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

With the right people, a small group is nice. But those people are rarely available. I'm so used to doing my adventures alone that I expect it. And frankly I prefer it most of the time because I can choose the direction and the pace without disappointing anyone.

 

[Pseudonym]

My next solo trip will be my first. I'm eager, but with young kids I only get one or two bullets a year and it generally takes the inertia of a group trip for my schedule to yield.

Edit: I suppose I do manage local salt-water overnights alone, but historically they are as likely to happen in a k**** as canoe. Looking forward, the kayaks will likely collect dust now that I have an outrigger in the quiver.

 

[lowangle al]

Solitude isn't always about going solo. You can be in a group and seek solitude from other people. It's always nice to have a lake to yourself but it's not something that is important to me anymore. As long as the other people are quiet and respectful and I have a good site, they don't bother me at all. In fact I'm kinda glad when other people are there. They might be able to help in case there was an emergency. There is also nothing wrong with saying hello to someone and maybe exchange some information.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Solitude isn't always about going solo.

It's also not always about vast wilderness. Or even wilderness by any definition. I find solitude on the local lakes and rivers, simply by taking my canoe into the places others can't or won't go - which is easy, considering the limitations of motors and even double blades. It's part of what is great about canoes. Once I'm in those places, it's just a matter of concentrating focus on the immediate surroundings.

 

[lowangle al]

Those are some good points Steve, solitude is easy to find in a canoe. There may not even be a better way to find it, although being a canoe nut, I may be biased.

 

[RatAssassin]

What I have learned over a very long time doing outdoor stuff.

What people like us do, is rare in the sense of the general public.
When talking about your trips in casual company, you notice things.
Everyone loves the "idea" of doing it. And even a lot of people say that as kids, they and their family used to do something together outdoors, usually followed by it being the best times. "I would LOVE to do a trip like that!". I hear that a lot.
Then you ask them why they stopped? And you see the instant regret. And never really get an answer.

I just never stopped. Yes, life got busy, but I made sure I had time set aside to backpack, climb, fish or paddle. Maybe not as much as I wanted, but always tried. And did ok with it.
And that leads us to the issue at hand.
Why do some people solo?
For me, I figured if I were to wait around for other people to decide whether they can go or even do it, I would end up just staring down at a now unused map on my couch. Those people who say they used to love doing it? Offer them a plan. Tell them you have enough quality gear to outfit them. Tell them you will plan a whole trip within their abilities.
You will still sit there on the couch waiting.

Nobody is going to do it but you. And the sooner you figure it out, the better.
You get comfortable soloing because you have to. I like the smaller group trip dynamic. I also like partnering up in solo boats with a common goal.
If it were available, I would do a lot more of it. I prefer it actually. But the fact remains, for most of my trips, if I don't just go and do that solo trip, it will never be done.