I have a comical red tailed hawk that gives me that same soar.
I'm too paranoid to tell anyone where I live (other than it's in the puritanical and philo-Semitic Upper South), but I can tell you that bald eagles are not common here, though I've heard of them being seen lately. Maybe they'll become more common (I certainly hope so!).
Buzzards, crows, and hawks on the other hand are quite common here. It's not at all unusual to see a beautiful red tailed hawk sitting on the power lines as one drives down the road. They're really beautiful birds too.
Thanks again to everyone.