P eople who admire nature have prejudices just as those who do not. Eagles are fashionably dressed with stark contrasting colors and those fabulous yellow talons, not to discount their marvelous wings. It is no wonder eagles are mascots to almost every country, militia, coinage, principality and despot on the planet. People enjoy watching eagles feed on goods that would be revolting to other animals.
Millions know the hush of veneration in watching eagles snatch fish.
Any extension of this display to human behavior is less appealing. The fact is, more of us identify with the stunned fish at the bottom of the dam than with the eagle whose spillway profits are as routine as any corporate CEO's. When knocked from our high perch as nature watchers, our appreciation for natural order instantly collapses. We find ourselves on the losing side, identifying with the morsel about to be eaten. Never mind that every city can support a flock or two.