If you’re like me, you probably saw numerous bald eagles in Nebraska this winter and early spring — if not on the wing then in photographs circulating the Internet. The bald eagle’s resurgence is a true conservation success story.

Today, though, I find it appropriate to give a little publicity to the bald eagles’ lesser mentioned cousin, the golden eagle.

When I told NEBRASKAland associate editor Jeff Kurrus that I planned to photograph golden eagles at a nest in a remote area of the Pine Ridge, he gave me one piece of advice: “Don’t get eaten.”

I must say, Kurrus’ words and this video came to mind as I was perched high on a ridge-top watching a pair of eagles fly overhead not far from their nest at a nearby cliff. As much as I’d like to think I was being sneaky, I’m sure an animal that can spot a hare from a mile away had no problem noticing me and my gear moving up the steep slope to get a better look.

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Justin Haag of Chadron is a public information officer for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and regional editor for NEBRASKAland magazine. He can be reached at [email protected] or 308-430-8515.