Bald is beautiful

At one point, they were in danger of disappearing entirely.

Because of development and the use of pesticides that damaged

eggs, the bald eagle -- the only eagle unique to North America --

ended up on the endangered species list, with few remaining along the

Southern California coast and nearby islands where they once had

thrived.

Across the nation in 1963, there were only 417 known breeding

pairs.

Bans on the pesticides and intensive breeding programs, including

one on Catalina Island, have helped the national symbol make a

remarkable comeback.

There are now almost 7,700 breeding pairs in the United States. It

is a success story that has been on display in the past week along

Newport Beach’s shoreline.

A lone bald eagle has been making his -- scientists say it’s an

unmated male, weighing about 8 or 9 pounds -- majestic way along the

coast. “K13,” as scientists call him, was released in 2001 as part of

the Catalina program.

Dozens of lucky people have seen the bird. He’s been spotted

perched on telephone poles, in Fairview Park and, of course, in

flight.

No one is quite sure how long he might stay. He could return with

ease to Catalina. He could choose to remain, perhaps splitting time

between the Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach, Fairview Park and the

Upper Newport Bay.

If he does, we should consider ourselves lucky.

Not only has the effort to save the bird been successful, but we

will get a chance to see this all-too-rare symbol of the country up

close.

It’s also a reminder, if one were needed, why the fight to keep

the Back Bay free of development was so important.