February 25-Attack on the Nest

An intruding adult Bald Eagle launched an attack on the Honey Bee nest this afternoon.

The intruding Eagle.

It appeared to attack two or possibly three times. In all instances, it brought the incubating adult off the nest to pursue it, as well as the mate.

  The second attack. The adults defend the nest.

 The incubating adult was off the nest for about 20 minutes at one point, which made me quite nervous....actually I was a nervous wreck!

 But they always returned and finally one settled down nicely and I left.

February 24

As I approached the nest area, an adult pair of Bald Eagles flew over very low and headed West. The Eagle in the nest did not call out nor did it leave the nest. It was a good hour before I even saw any movement in the nest but eventually a head popped up. It was just before sunset.

February 21: Nest Exchange

When there is a "nest exchange," the pair will take turns incubating and then you can see see one bird replace the other periodically. However, there can be hours between these exchanges. Such was the case today.
I believe this is the male leaving the nest.

The female.

February 18

My first trip back this weekend, since incubation began. A parent eagle was hunkered down, deep in the nest, and out of sight. I knew it was there though because about once every 45 minutes it would call out.  Finally, after about a 90 minute wait, another adult flew over but did not land. It would be another hour before the second adult would land in the nest tree and they would trade places.  Incubation is about 35 days so many eagle watching days are not all that productive, photography wise, unless you are willing to put in the time, and I am talking HOURS! Today it was 3 hours and only this one photo to show for it. This looks like the Dad, gear down for landing, as he flew over my location.

A Joyous Announcement

I have been waiting so patiently for Bald Eagle eggs since 2013, when the late, great HK began establishing territory along the North Landing River at Honey Bee Golf Course by building a beautiful nest on the 6th hole. Year after year, no Bald Eagle eggs were ever laid in this nest. Today, the new, young pair appear to have completed HK's legacy. Their changing behavior seems to indicate that an egg or eggs are now in the nest. God's promises are indeed, beautiful.
This is the pair in the nest. The male brought in a new stick then exchanged places with the female and rolled the egg(s).

Valentine's Day, Feb. 14

I was not able to spend much time at Honey Bee today. But I spent enough time to note a change in the behavior of the pair. Mainly, they spent much more time in the nest and nest tree than ever before. Plus, there was a lot of flying.
One appeared to be shaping the bowl some more and another brought in more nest material. They did both leave at the same time and I did not see them return. Not sure about eggs in the nest but there could be....looking forward to tomorrow!

February 10

A series of the Honey Bee male leaving the nest. I am still breaking in a new lens, but I was very happy with the results of this encounter. I had been watching the Eagle in the nest for several minutes from the comfort of my car. A good friend drove up and we were chatting and the eagle decided to exit out the front of the nest. I was not quite ready but thankfully a prime lens has very fast focus and most of the 12 shots came out sharp. Whew!

February 7

I was able to spend a few hours at Honey Bee today. There was not a lot of activity going on in the nest but the Eagles were definitely active around the nest and golf course. I found one on a tower right away, which flew shortly thereafter.

Then, I found them at their favorite cypress tree.

 One left (the male I think) and the other one was really fussing at the approach of a juvenile Eagle.

I lost track of them for a while but eventually I returned to the nest area and found one in a nearby tree. It stayed for about 20 minutes and provided many opportunities.

 Including a take off and flyby!

I was getting ready to leave and on my way out I stopped by for one last look at the North Landing River. It was a good decision as an eagle swooped in and picked up some soft material for the nest.

Then, after counting my blessings, I headed home.

But wait! It that an Eagle in a tree? It WAS! Then I really headed home!

February 6

It was a nice, quick visit to the nest area only today. But it was busy with the pair coming and going. They sure are amazing to see on the wing. Mating was again observed.