Guest Book
I get some wonderful emails and letters from people who were touched by the book and film. I would like to post some of them here. If you would like to contribute please email me.
November 2015
It has been 35 years since I have read Gifts of an Eagle. I've been a falconer for over 17 years now. I had no idea how intelligent they are. Ed and Kent were right on the money! I have worked with many species, including eagles. It's true that the greatest gifts are free with an open mind. Thank you so much for making this priceless information available. Only until I started working with the creatures myself did I realize how much the Durden family has taught me.
Kent and Ed were my inspiration to become a falconer. I'm a commercial pilot like Ed with the same bush type flying in small aircraft. I am currently in search of a male Golden Eagle of my own who I will name Ed, out of respect for the GIFT that Ed and Kent gave to me.
Mike, Michigan
It has been 35 years since I have read Gifts of an Eagle. I've been a falconer for over 17 years now. I had no idea how intelligent they are. Ed and Kent were right on the money! I have worked with many species, including eagles. It's true that the greatest gifts are free with an open mind. Thank you so much for making this priceless information available. Only until I started working with the creatures myself did I realize how much the Durden family has taught me.
Kent and Ed were my inspiration to become a falconer. I'm a commercial pilot like Ed with the same bush type flying in small aircraft. I am currently in search of a male Golden Eagle of my own who I will name Ed, out of respect for the GIFT that Ed and Kent gave to me.
Mike, Michigan
October 2015
I had the privilege of first seeing the movie in Hawaii at my high school in the eighties. It was remarkable! I bought a book then that Kent signed. I still have that book. Anyway, I just bought the DVD of the movie directly from your site and am just as blessed watching the film today as I was when I first saw it many years ago. Thank you, Kent, for sharing your gift with Lady to all of us.
Daniel
I had the privilege of first seeing the movie in Hawaii at my high school in the eighties. It was remarkable! I bought a book then that Kent signed. I still have that book. Anyway, I just bought the DVD of the movie directly from your site and am just as blessed watching the film today as I was when I first saw it many years ago. Thank you, Kent, for sharing your gift with Lady to all of us.
Daniel
June 2013
It is hard to measure just how much impact Lady's story had on me as a child. I had a love for raptors and a strong hate for reading. That book taught me that there are amazing TRUE stories that I could experience and learn from in those pages. This story broke the ice for me and in one year I went from a 1st grade reading level to a high school graduate's level all because this book showed me the wonder of Lady's story.
Travis
January 2013
...the most interesting experience with an eagle I have ever had, was when I was witness to Ed and Lady and the love and life they shared with each other at the Durden ranch in California. Lady was special and of course so were Ed and Kent, for the patience and will to spend time documenting the life of Lady. I was in the cave like cage that Lady was living in while she was raising two geese. Lady got mad at me for being in her home alone with her babies. I was taking photographs of them while she was out flying. When I came out she tried to attack me and Ed had to keep her away with a broom. Needless to say, I stayed close to Ed the rest of my time there. There is a photo (that I took) in the book, of her nose diving strait toward me with her talons extended. That was when she was coming in for me. At the last minute I ducked behind a bush and Ed held a broom above me.
Dick Roberts, Florida via Facebook
January 2013
It's such a nice surprise to see Mr. Durden and Lady again. I was very blessed to be a guest at their ranch and friend of the family. I have many found memories watching Lady fly free and try to feed the ducks meat and being perplexed watching the ducks swim! What a great time in my life.
Susan, California via Facebook
May 2012
I have the original 1972 book - read when I was 15. It made a big impact on me and it's still my favourite book - and believe me, I've read many, many books in my time! Thank you.
Anne via Facebook
December 2011
I have an interest in birds of prey going back over 35 years and remember the first time I read Gifts of an Eagle. Couldn't see the pages for tears on the day that Lady came back after her ordeal with the wild eagle and then again on the day that Ed finally gave her his final gift of freedom.
Since then I have been lucky to have had similar relationships with several Eagles. They all become so special. Kent uses the exact words to describe how that relationship develops - he was an inspiration to me and I have always treasured his book. I believe that, given time all eagles become one man birds - Ed became a one Eagle man. I hope he is as much an inspiration to others as he was to me. Even though he is gone I believe that his book and film will encourage others to see and understand Eagles in a better light
Eddie, England via Facebook
February 2010
I am a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and was first introduced to "Gifts of an Eagle" in 1998. I was the Director of Suisun Marsh Natural History association and sent a group of volunteers to a Raptor Workshop at UCDavis. All of my volunteers came back and were so excited and enthusiastic about seeing the wonderful documentary,I had to order it. Such a moving and tender story, words are not enough.
For the record, the ending when lady leaves is what every wildlife rehabilitator knows first hand the bittersweet emotions of a release. My heart is filled with love for Lady as she leaves for the last time and my spirit is soaring the skies with her. Now I have the Book/DVD set to treasure always Iris, California
November 2009
I received the book and DVD and loved reading and watching. That is such an incredibly beautiful story. My son told my sister-in-law about watching the DVD and she got all excited because she too had seen the Audubon presentation. The one she saw must have been given by Ed Durden because she said she also got to touch Lady. So glad that the DVD is now available. Thank you.
Eileen, Kansas
November 2009
I just sent you an email and then went to your website. I have now finished going through all of it, and am impressed with the thoughtful things that were said about Kent and Ed.
As you know, I knew both of them as a friend and photography peer. I was honored the day Kent called me and asked if he could put some of the photos I had taken of Lady into his book he was writing. I will always remember the proud feeling I had, a few weeks later, when walking through a mall in Toledo, Ohio and seeing a huge banner hanging outside of a book store, with the full frame photo of Lady promoting the new book, "Gifts of an Eagle."
Then several days later I received an original book from Kent with a personal message he had written on it to me. I still treasure that book and have the same photo of Lady enlarged and hanging in my office, even after all of these years. It has now been over forty years since I was allowed by Ed to come into his personal world with his best friend Lady, and photograph the "day in the life of." I can still remember as though it was yesterday, the emotion I saw between the two of them and the geese that lady was raising and feeding a snake to in her nest. Since then I have photographed thousands upon thousands of subjects, but never have I ever felt the emotion and excitement that I felt that day with Lady and Ed.
Good luck to you in keeping alive the memory of Kent, Ed and Lady.
Dick Roberts, Florida
March 2009
I’ve recently finished Gifts of an Eagle after being introduced to it by a close friend who knew your father.
This friend, Tony, is a cowboy poet who was invited by your father to perform at a church campout at Sugar Pine Point state park several years ago. During Tony’s performance of a poem about an eagle He noticed your father had tears in his eyes. Later Tony inquired of your father about his display of emotion, indicating that most of the time it was the ladies that where the ones who exhibited emotion regarding this poem. It was at this time your father described his experiences with your grandfather and “Lady.” It’s my understanding that Tony was invited on other occasions to repeat his performances in the Grass Valley area.
As Tony was relating his experiences with your father and the story of Lady just last week I sat on the edge of my seat glued to every word he said. It was during this conversation that my wife interrupted saying that she has the book.
This book that my wife had obtained had come from a dear friend who loved wildlife and who had provided our family with numerous books about this subject.
Bill, Truckee, CA
May 2008
My name is Mike. I have been an animal keeper at the Los Angeles Zoo's California Condor Breeding Facilitiesfor 18 years. I'm 43 now and growing up, one of my favorite books was Gifts of an Eagle. I must have read it 100 times. I still have two original copies in my library.
As a kid I was fascinated by birds of prey and raised every local hawk and owl I could find while riding my bike through the hills and fields of Thousand Oaks where I grew up. I later became a falconer like your dad and grandfather. I had always dreamed of having a golden eagle like Lady. The permit process now a days is very restrictive. So I never tried. One day when I was talking to my friend Jan who runs the California Condor Archives at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, she had mentioned your dads name. And I just whipped around and said "You know Kent Durden? the author of Gifts of an Eagle?" And she said yes and that she was a friend for many years. She also mentioned that your dad had put the footage he took into a video. I asked her how I could get my hands on one. She gave me your dads phone number.
I spoke to him for about an hour one night and he was the greatest. He told me all kinds of stories about Lady that I will never forget. I'm so sorry to hear that he passed. I ordered the video and watched it 2x the first night I got it. Talking to your dad inspired me to re-think going through the eagle permit process. So I tried and I was successful and I was able to travel to Wyoming and trap my own golden eagle this Feb, all legally. His name is Buster and I attached a picture of him. He probably wont be as great a bird as Lady was but I like him a lot. Thank you for putting up the web site for your dad.
Mike, Los Angeles, CA
It is hard to measure just how much impact Lady's story had on me as a child. I had a love for raptors and a strong hate for reading. That book taught me that there are amazing TRUE stories that I could experience and learn from in those pages. This story broke the ice for me and in one year I went from a 1st grade reading level to a high school graduate's level all because this book showed me the wonder of Lady's story.
Travis
January 2013
...the most interesting experience with an eagle I have ever had, was when I was witness to Ed and Lady and the love and life they shared with each other at the Durden ranch in California. Lady was special and of course so were Ed and Kent, for the patience and will to spend time documenting the life of Lady. I was in the cave like cage that Lady was living in while she was raising two geese. Lady got mad at me for being in her home alone with her babies. I was taking photographs of them while she was out flying. When I came out she tried to attack me and Ed had to keep her away with a broom. Needless to say, I stayed close to Ed the rest of my time there. There is a photo (that I took) in the book, of her nose diving strait toward me with her talons extended. That was when she was coming in for me. At the last minute I ducked behind a bush and Ed held a broom above me.
Dick Roberts, Florida via Facebook
January 2013
It's such a nice surprise to see Mr. Durden and Lady again. I was very blessed to be a guest at their ranch and friend of the family. I have many found memories watching Lady fly free and try to feed the ducks meat and being perplexed watching the ducks swim! What a great time in my life.
Susan, California via Facebook
May 2012
I have the original 1972 book - read when I was 15. It made a big impact on me and it's still my favourite book - and believe me, I've read many, many books in my time! Thank you.
Anne via Facebook
December 2011
I have an interest in birds of prey going back over 35 years and remember the first time I read Gifts of an Eagle. Couldn't see the pages for tears on the day that Lady came back after her ordeal with the wild eagle and then again on the day that Ed finally gave her his final gift of freedom.
Since then I have been lucky to have had similar relationships with several Eagles. They all become so special. Kent uses the exact words to describe how that relationship develops - he was an inspiration to me and I have always treasured his book. I believe that, given time all eagles become one man birds - Ed became a one Eagle man. I hope he is as much an inspiration to others as he was to me. Even though he is gone I believe that his book and film will encourage others to see and understand Eagles in a better light
Eddie, England via Facebook
February 2010
I am a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and was first introduced to "Gifts of an Eagle" in 1998. I was the Director of Suisun Marsh Natural History association and sent a group of volunteers to a Raptor Workshop at UCDavis. All of my volunteers came back and were so excited and enthusiastic about seeing the wonderful documentary,I had to order it. Such a moving and tender story, words are not enough.
For the record, the ending when lady leaves is what every wildlife rehabilitator knows first hand the bittersweet emotions of a release. My heart is filled with love for Lady as she leaves for the last time and my spirit is soaring the skies with her. Now I have the Book/DVD set to treasure always Iris, California
November 2009
I received the book and DVD and loved reading and watching. That is such an incredibly beautiful story. My son told my sister-in-law about watching the DVD and she got all excited because she too had seen the Audubon presentation. The one she saw must have been given by Ed Durden because she said she also got to touch Lady. So glad that the DVD is now available. Thank you.
Eileen, Kansas
November 2009
I just sent you an email and then went to your website. I have now finished going through all of it, and am impressed with the thoughtful things that were said about Kent and Ed.
As you know, I knew both of them as a friend and photography peer. I was honored the day Kent called me and asked if he could put some of the photos I had taken of Lady into his book he was writing. I will always remember the proud feeling I had, a few weeks later, when walking through a mall in Toledo, Ohio and seeing a huge banner hanging outside of a book store, with the full frame photo of Lady promoting the new book, "Gifts of an Eagle."
Then several days later I received an original book from Kent with a personal message he had written on it to me. I still treasure that book and have the same photo of Lady enlarged and hanging in my office, even after all of these years. It has now been over forty years since I was allowed by Ed to come into his personal world with his best friend Lady, and photograph the "day in the life of." I can still remember as though it was yesterday, the emotion I saw between the two of them and the geese that lady was raising and feeding a snake to in her nest. Since then I have photographed thousands upon thousands of subjects, but never have I ever felt the emotion and excitement that I felt that day with Lady and Ed.
Good luck to you in keeping alive the memory of Kent, Ed and Lady.
Dick Roberts, Florida
March 2009
I’ve recently finished Gifts of an Eagle after being introduced to it by a close friend who knew your father.
This friend, Tony, is a cowboy poet who was invited by your father to perform at a church campout at Sugar Pine Point state park several years ago. During Tony’s performance of a poem about an eagle He noticed your father had tears in his eyes. Later Tony inquired of your father about his display of emotion, indicating that most of the time it was the ladies that where the ones who exhibited emotion regarding this poem. It was at this time your father described his experiences with your grandfather and “Lady.” It’s my understanding that Tony was invited on other occasions to repeat his performances in the Grass Valley area.
As Tony was relating his experiences with your father and the story of Lady just last week I sat on the edge of my seat glued to every word he said. It was during this conversation that my wife interrupted saying that she has the book.
This book that my wife had obtained had come from a dear friend who loved wildlife and who had provided our family with numerous books about this subject.
Bill, Truckee, CA
May 2008
My name is Mike. I have been an animal keeper at the Los Angeles Zoo's California Condor Breeding Facilitiesfor 18 years. I'm 43 now and growing up, one of my favorite books was Gifts of an Eagle. I must have read it 100 times. I still have two original copies in my library.
As a kid I was fascinated by birds of prey and raised every local hawk and owl I could find while riding my bike through the hills and fields of Thousand Oaks where I grew up. I later became a falconer like your dad and grandfather. I had always dreamed of having a golden eagle like Lady. The permit process now a days is very restrictive. So I never tried. One day when I was talking to my friend Jan who runs the California Condor Archives at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, she had mentioned your dads name. And I just whipped around and said "You know Kent Durden? the author of Gifts of an Eagle?" And she said yes and that she was a friend for many years. She also mentioned that your dad had put the footage he took into a video. I asked her how I could get my hands on one. She gave me your dads phone number.
I spoke to him for about an hour one night and he was the greatest. He told me all kinds of stories about Lady that I will never forget. I'm so sorry to hear that he passed. I ordered the video and watched it 2x the first night I got it. Talking to your dad inspired me to re-think going through the eagle permit process. So I tried and I was successful and I was able to travel to Wyoming and trap my own golden eagle this Feb, all legally. His name is Buster and I attached a picture of him. He probably wont be as great a bird as Lady was but I like him a lot. Thank you for putting up the web site for your dad.
Mike, Los Angeles, CA