This is NOT a euphemism for anything random as that headline sounds! Last week I was lucky enough to meet Odin, my friend’s 7-year old Golden Eagle (he breeds them). I’ve never been so close to one before and the experience completely blew me away.

Just everything about him, his alertness, beak and talons and that beautiful iridescent plumage – I couldn’t believe it when he let us stroke him. These are birds that can lift a deer, fox or wildcat no bother, as well as more modest prey too.

Now I’m hoping he’ll let us see them in action some time.