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American Eagle
Video: Behind the Scenes with the Filmmaker

Photographed by three-time Emmy Award winning filmmaker Neil Rettig, “American Eagle” is the first HD hour on bald eagles ever. In this behind-the-scenes exclusive, Rettig talks about the making of the film while he captures footage of the spring migration along the Mississippi River. Rettig shares his favorite experiences from the filming and explains why he believes wildlife filmmakers have a special responsibility to move people to think about the natural world, now more than ever.

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17 comments

#1

Oh Yes! An Eagle soaring above Gardiner Maine yesterday, maybe the same Eagle on the nest at Horseshoe Pond six miles west today. Thank the great spirit for eagles!

#2

I KNOW NEATURE IS GOD BUT GOD MAKE THIS ANIMALS IS VERY POWER FULL.

#3

I realy liked this video on bald eagles. It realy open my mind and my heart on the importants of nature.

#4

11/16/08

for the past two winters, my son and I have watched the bald eagles along the Ark river in downtown Wichita. My hope is that return again so that we can see these magnificent birds

chris

#5

Awesome job Neil! How can I get a job doing that?!

#6

Hi Neil,

I live in Davenport and love watching the eagles in winter. In fact, I’ve had one in the tree in my back yard. I was wondering where Iowa you are located.

#7

I watch more than 16 pairs in northern Ohio now. Its amazing that there is so much growth in population. Neil if you have the Harpy out in public I would love to see it some time.

#8

hey neil,

Just wanted to say that Canadians are also making an effort to preserve the amazing bald eagle. I volunteer for a school run wildlife organization and we just released an adult eagle back into the wild on November 7th. We have two juveniles that we are trying to rehabilitate and then release.

#9

Your filmwork was spectacular! Awesome! It makes me just want to lie down in the wilderness and watch them fly overhead all day….. Here in south Louisiana (Bourg) the population is growing each year. Today I saw three bald eagles and yesterday I saw five….more than I’ve seen at this time of year in years’ past. Being a wildlife/nature photographer myself, I was able to take some awesome shots of eagles this year. Check them out at http://www.bayoubellephotography.com There is nothing else like the sound of a soaring eagle just above your head as he swoops down to catch his prey…..just awesome!

#10

The film was great! How about filming the Red Tailed Hawk, I’ve got a nest on my property that’s been active the past 3 years in spring. Would love to learn more about these raptures that I can’t find on the net or in books. Many similarities between the Eagle and Red Tailed Hawks.

#11

Hi Neil,
I really enjoyed your film on the American eagle. In the 40 years Ive lived in northern California I had the pleasure of seeing an eagle hunt successfully for it’s prey as well as watching it eat. It was also great to learn the eagle was taken off of the endangered species list in 2007. Thanks for your beautiful work.

#12

Quite honestly, what was wrong with my comment sent three days ago.

Respectfully,

Martin Murphy

#13

I found your film to be beautifully shot, informative and inspirational. As I am a Wisconsin wildlife (still) photographer it has speical meaning to me.

#14

Just finished watching the show about the eagles..Wonderful…Even our cat watched..Where exactly on the Miss.river was the show filmed?? I just came from Klamath Falls Or to see how many eagles came in and we took pics of seven eagles. eagles came in pictures

#15

This is one of the best films on the life of the eagle ever! The photography is some of the best you will ever see, and you will feel every aspect of the eagles life while watching this film!

#16

Spectacular filming once again, Neil! We are so fortunate to have such a talented and compassionate filmmaker in our mist…To see such fierce beauty and the proud independence of our nations symbol on film is most enjoyable. Thanks, Neil!

#17

Wonderful film!
I live within a few hundred yards of the nest near the Decorah fish hatchery that is featured in the film. (I believe some of the filming was done from one of the windows of the barn on the farm where I grew up.)
Lately I have noticed that the nest seems to be tipping toward the south. Has anyone else noticed this or is it just my imagination? It is in such a great location for being observed that it would be a shame if it were to fall.

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