 Dances
with Eagles
Some people think of scientists as nerdy types with thick, round
spectacles who sit in basements all day and crunch numbers—and
for some you may be correct—yet wherever you visit the best
scientists in the world you will find them reconstructing the most
graceful dance ever performed—the Ballet of Life.
Eagle researchers count eagles and monitor salmon runs during the
winter months. They use their minds and computers to look for patterns
and rhythms. By plotting graphs and exploring changes over time,
researchers begin to learn how each species and process are interconnected.
As data accumulates, researchers are better able to understand the
movement and thus discover how humans can dance better with the
eagles.
Scientists at North Cascades have been collecting data and watching
the dance of the eagles on the Skagit River since the mid-1970s.
Long-term data is beginning to reveal an indicative waveform.
Many questions still remain. In 1989, a shift in tempo rang out
prompting scientists to find out why the rhythm changed and what
process led to the shift.
Examine the data by reading the summary below, then reconstruct
the yearly order of events in the Skagit
Eagle Ballad.
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Critical
Thinking: 