Exciting Recovery - not triathlon and not economic

So completely 100% off any topic on the first page but wanted to just write a little something about my observations about the recovery and even adaptation of wildlife around the country.

I now I have written about part of this before, but it amazes me the increase in predatory birds (falcons, hawks, etc) that I continue to see as I drive around the midwest.  We drive from Chicago to Iowa quite often to visit family, and just the number of red-tailed hawks alone is amazing.  I would almost say 1-2 every mile or so.  And in the back of my mind I keep thinking, "that has to be a good thing".

Then back in 2004 I was fortunate enough to spot something, in the Near Chicagoland area that hadn't been seen since 1945.  A Bald Eagle!  I was driving to work, when we lived in Forest Park, close to Oak Park on the West side and I was traveling down 1st Avenue next to the river.  That big joker was just perched at the top of one of the trees looking down at it.  I almost caused a wreck looking at it.  I didn't believe it.  So when I got to work, I emailed my wife who works at The Field, and she confirmed with one of the scientists that, yes indeed, a pair has been seen nesting on the Cal-Sag river!  That was 5 years ago, and this past weekend, in the Chicago section of the New York Times, there was an article about this couple.  They haven't yet fostered any offspring, but there is still hope. 

AND now, supposedly there is a pair of Osprey have been nesting around here since 2002, and in that time have fostered 7 fledglings!!! 

Now don't get me wrong.  I'm no tree hugger but I am an outdoorsman (read: I hunt and fish) and so I always keep an eye out for this type of thing.  But I also KNOW and have seen some of the garbage/pollution that had been going into our rivers and streams in the past.  And I honestly hope that this is a sign of good things to come. 

Sure we aren't perfect but I like to think we (humans) are heading in the right direction.

So, how about you?  What have you seen, wildlife related, that has surprised you?  Made you think that things are turning around?  Give a story about your "sightings" and the Recovery of wildlife in your area.