Animal of the Month: Bald Eagle

As we celebrate our country’s independence this week, a few classics come to mind: pet parades, freedom rides, BBQ and good old-fashioned American craft beer to name a few. All of these things can certainly be found in Bend, but what about our national bird? There is almost nothing more American than the North American Bald Eagle, and fortunately for us, there are over 470 pairs of these majestic birds that call Oregon home.

In honor of the Fourth of July festivities happening all around town, we've put together a quiz to question your knowledge of the Haliaeetus leucocephalus and find out just how patriotic you really are!

1. When did The United States adopt the bald eagle as our national bird?

a. 1776
b. 1786
c. 1782

Chosen for its magnificent beauty, strength, and resiliency, the bald eagle was named the national bird symbol of the United States in 1782 (correct answer: c), 8 years after our country’s founding. Some more important dates for this bird include 1966 and 1973 when The Endangered Species Acts helped to protect the birds, and the 1972 banning of DDT pesticide was essential in the recovery of the bald eagle population.

2. At cruising speed, how fast do bald eagles fly?

a. 60 MPH
b. 30 MPH
c. 45 MPH

Talk about freedom rides! Using their 7’ wingspan, a full-grown bald eagle can fly at speeds up to 30 MPH (correct answer: b), and dive at up to 100 MPH. These birds of prey can fly as high as 10,000’ up in the sky – that’s almost 1,000’ higher than Mount Bachelor!

3. In what regions are bald eagles considered native? 

a. North America only
b. North and South America
c. North America and Western Europe

The bald eagle is native ONLY to North America (correct answer: a), and is the only species of eagle that is endemic (native or restricted to a certain country or area) to North America. Much like a Bendite, the habitat of the bald eagle is primarily focused on rivers, large lakes, mountains, and open dry country as well as coastal areas. Check out some of Central Oregon’s very own bald eagles at the High Desert Museum!

4. Who builds the nests: males or females?

a. Males
b. Females
c. Males AND females

It takes two to tango when it comes to bald eagles. Male and female bald eagle couples work together to build their nests, which stand up to 180 feet off the ground in trees and on cliffs. That’s 110 feet higher than the White House! Because bald eagles mate for life, the couple will continually use and reuse their nests. Over time, these nests can weigh up to one ton!

Now that you've taken our bald eagle quiz you are ready to celebrate the land of the free and the home of the brave! Have fun and be safe, and we hope to continue learning not only about our great country, but also about the awesome creatures that inhabit it alongside us!

It's time to VOTE!

Get out your Number 2 pencils people, it's voting time!! We could not be more excited that The Source Weekly has included a new category this year for their "Best of" segment. That tour is near and dear to our hearts because it's "Best Tour Company"! Really!! If you're on this page, there's a chance you already like us, but we'll give you just a few reasons why we think we should have your vote.

1. Wanderlust Tours is a family business. We are locally owned and operated by some of the coolest people in Bend. Dave and Aleta Nissen opened up Wanderlust in 1993 and they have been wowing people with exploration and naturalism ever since.

2. We care about the earth (and we want you to care about it too!) That's why all our tours are nature based and share information about the natural, cultural, and geographic history of our area. The more you know, the more you appreciate it. 

3. Our guides knowledgeable, friendly, and experts in their fields. They make each trip unique and fun for the group. They can bring this place to life like no one else can and they'll guarantee you'll have a memorable journey.

4. We give back to the community. Wanderlust donates experiences to over 200 local organizations a year to help raise funds for education, animals, and environmental causes. We also host events like our yearly Cave Cleanup to to help our local environment continue to be a place where nature thrives. 

Thanks for voting Wanderlust Tours for best Tour Company in Bend!! 

The Vacation of Their Dreams

My adorable and energetic 5 year old nephew visited Bend with his family earlier this week. It was 4 days of pure magic and I'm pretty sure he's going to be talking about this trip for a long time. As he explored all new territory and learned tons of new facts, his face lit up with excitement. For people planning their trips to Bend this summer, I'll give you (what I think was) his top 10 list.

1. Pretend fishing on the Deschutes River. We fashioned fishing line to a stick and didn't even have a hook at the end, but he loved every second of "fishing." 

2. The Observatory at Sunriver Part 1. Have you ever been to an observatory during the day? The stars aren't out but we learned so much about the sun! It was also a lot less crowded during the day so we got a very personalized experience. 

3. The Observatory at Sunriver Part 2. He's very into space. It was a special treat that he got to stay up late to go to the observatory at night. All week he had been wishing to see the stars in the night sky, but when it doesn't get dark until almost 10, it's too late for some kids. 

4. Caving! We recommend ages 5 and up for caving because it requires full mobility to move over the uneven ground. We had a great time scrambling over rocks and finding out what is inside these dark tunnels under the surface. 

5. Biking the trails in Sunriver. It's been a long time since I've gotten to travel on the back of a bike in a little covered wagon, but it looked like so much fun! The bike trails in Sunriver are extensive and beautiful. The trees shade the paths and make for a refreshing ride even on a hot day. 

6. Ice cream at Addy Mac's. There's not much else to say about this one. It's the best ice cream in town and a favorite of adults and kids alike. 

7. The play area at Looney Bean. When you're in need of some afternoon fuel, Looney Bean is the perfect stop. There's a large area in the back for kids to play, and plenty of delicious coffee options for adults. 

8. Canoeing on the lake. Though he didn't provide a lot of power, holding the paddle brought so much joy to the little man's face. What an experience to glide over the water in a vessel holding your favorite people. At the end of the trip under the hot summer sun, he was excited to jump in the water to cool down before heading home. 

9. Speaking of getting wet on a hot day, the sprinklers at Drake Park happened to be on one afternoon while we were enjoying a picnic there. It took one second for him to jump up and start sprinting toward the sprinklers. You may not be able to plan a moment just like this, but it was certainly a highlight. 

10. And best of all: spending time with the people you love in a beautiful place.