On sacred throne with eagle on shoulder

Those who frequently hike or bike the Coast Highway between Del Mar and Torrey Pines State Beach will have likely noticed — in the past month or so — an eagle emerging out of a tree trunk on the bluff overlooking the ocean on the side of Camino Del Mar just north of Carmel Valley Rd.

In early January, the City of Del Mar was in the process of removing a beetles-damaged Torrey Pine tree on Torrey Pines Reserve when an unidentified artist who lives nearby approached the park crew and asked them to hold their saw while he called the city to pitch his idea about what could be done with the stump.

The artist made quick work of any red tape and, by January 14th, presented the Del Mar Parks & Recreation Committee with his carving proposal complete with two different models.

While the committee quickly agreed, the city had some reservations about risk management and cost and did not recommend the agreement. The artist offered to cover all the cost himself, however, and the city council came through and allowed the artist to work with the city risk-management staff to put in warning signs and softer ground cover around the stump as it transformed from beetle-ridden trunk into a sea-facing throne guarded by a serene eagle.

The carving is mostly finished and has received anti-termite treatment.