National Arboretum Announces Names For Baby Eaglets

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Votes have been counted and winners declared but it has nothing to do with politicians.

Alex DeMetrick reports it does have to do with Wsahington's newest celebrities.

As they grew over the past two months, the eaglets born next to New York Avenue in Washington DC drew a lot of admirers. Streaming video captured them from eggs cared for by eagles nicknamed "Mr. President" and "First Lady."

In late March, they hatched in a tree sealed off at the National Arboretum, who hosted the American Eagle Foundation, which installed the eagle cam.

Sam is not from the nest but a foundation rescue.

"In January, we finally got to test out the streaming. Of course, we went live in February and the rest is history," said Al Cerce, American Eagle Foundation.

Except for naming the eaglets.

The public voted on the website and Freedom and Liberty won the contest.

Runners up in the voting were Stars and Stripes, Anacostia and Potomac---the rivers---Honor and Glory and the seasonal sounding Cherry and Blossom.

Eagles have made a remarkable recovery from their sharp decline 50 years ago. Looking for territory to branch out, they're moving closer to us.

"They're adapting, you know. We just had a helicopter fly by earlier and they were fazed so they're certainly not fazed by the nightlife here in DC," said National Arboretum Director Richard Olsen.

Although Freedom and Liberty still need those daytime naps.

The eagles raised their first eaglet last year. Prior to that, bald eagles had not been seen at the National Arboretum since 1947.