A majestic golden eagle calmly, in Seegrid’s arms, awaits release. Photo Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Every now and then Boulder, you get to witness something that reaches past the everyday and lands squarely in the category of unforgettable. Spending time with the crew at the Birds of Prey raptor rehabilitation center is one of those moments. And when the star of the day is a recovering eagle, held with calm confidence by Sigrid Ueblacker, it becomes something more than a visit. It becomes a reminder of our responsibility to the world we share.

For those unfamiliar, Birds of Prey exists for one mission: to rescue, treat, rehabilitate, and, whenever possible, return injured raptors back to the skies they belong to. Hawks, owls, falcons, eagles, kestrels, and the occasional unexpected guest all find sanctuary here. They arrive with broken wings, lead poisoning, vehicle-related trauma, frostbite, starvation, and sometimes injuries that only nature herself can invent. The goal is always the same: to restore strength, health, dignity, and wildness.

The golden eagle calmly rests in Seegrid’s knowing arms. photo Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Enter Sigrid. Anyone who watched her work knows she was not simply holding an eagle. She was holding trust. Her background blends deep field experience with gentle confidence, the sort that allows a massive bird of prey to settle against her arm as if the partnership was obvious. She knew each bird’s personality, quirks, preferred food, recovery timeline, and the places where they allow or resist help. The photos of Sigrid with the eagle tell the whole story: steady hands, steady eyes, and a bird that knows it is safe.

The eagle was released and strongly flew off and out of sight. photo Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Then comes the release. That single moment when the crate door opens or the bird is lifted skyward, and instinct takes over. The silence just before the wings spread is electric. A rehabbed raptor returning to flight is more than a success story. It is a rare point of connection between humans and the natural world. It means the hours of feeding, cleaning, medical care, patience, and hope all mattered. It means an injured creature was given a second chance. It means the sky gets back one of its rightful citizens.

Watching an eagle rise again is not merely beautiful. It is a triumph of compassion. It is a reminder that we can choose to repair instead of ignore, to help instead of look away, and to honor the wild instead of forgetting it.

A released raptor does not thank you. It doesn’t look back. It simply flies. That is the gratitude. That is the reward.

And for those of us lucky enough to witness it, that flight stays with us long after the bird disappears into the Colorado sky.

I encourage and Support the Birds of Prey Foundation!

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Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Lenny Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and widely syndicated blogger and author.
• Most recently published by Amazon, his first book, "Lensworth"a book of his prize-winning photos.
• University lectures at University. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
• Former Judge
• Media work, including starring in episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee, Distinguished Counsel Circle.
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML, and prior chair during legalization, as well as pre and post legalization
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• http://www.Lfrieling.com