Max and I were romping in the deep snow…we were the only ones outside for miles, I’m certain.  All sound was ‘different’ because of the space, the river, the snow and the tall trees.  Then….whoosh whoosh whoosh….just over the river, the wide wingspan of an eagle as he scooped downward and then up, resting on a branch of the tree only 15 feet from us.  Frozen in time, we looked at one another…and then, as Max became animated again and bounded into the next snowbank, the eagle lifted and flew across the river…I watched with tremendous respect…such a large and regal bird…an awesome experience at the river.