Start up again 2022

 After a long absence due to the illness and death of my husband, I am trying to get back to blogging. This Bald Eagle blog is primarily an explanation of my photographs during nesting season but the writing part is taken mostly from my personal notes. 

Today was another cold day in Virginia Beach. I wanted to check the Honey Bee nest today as last year on January 11, 2021,  I saw the male and female mated pair trade places in the nest, suggesting a "nest exchange," which means that egg incubation is under way. It's when one comes into the nest and "relieves" the other and sits on the new egg or eggs.

Today, both Bald Eagles brought soft nesting material into the nest. This may be an indication that a nest cup is being constructed for up coming egg laying.

2 Eaglets in the nest!

I got my first look at the baby eagles today! I saw two through the binoculars but could only get a photo of one.

Here are the photos of the mom eagle bringing in a fish for her babies.

Mom in the nest

The female Bald Eagle in the nest today. The eaglets are approaching 2 weeks of age. At about two weeks, it is possible for them to hold their head up for feeding.

The Many Faces of a Bald Eagle

I am thinking that this is the female Bald Eagle. She was out of the nest when I arrived and the mate was in the nest, as the chicks still need brooding in this cold weather. She flew in and perched above the nest, always on the alert as her mate did some feeding and house keeping.

Post script from Sunday

I stayed for a while after all my photographer friends had left the nest area. I was hoping to see the Bald Eagle pair at sunset, hopefully settling in for the night. I was provided with a photo op.

Hatching!!!

It appeared there was a behavior change of the adults on Friday, February 21 which carried over to Saturday, February 22. There were several instances of both adults being at or near the nest plus, I had the date of incubation beginning 5 weeks earlier. Incubation typically lasts from 34-36 days but it's sometimes difficult to ascertain from ground observation, as the eagle doing the incubating is often way out of sight in the nest.
I had spent a good amount of time at the nest on Saturday but my timing may have been off as I never saw any prey items being brought in, an indication that hatching has occurred. Several minutes after I called it a day, I received a call that prey had in fact been delivered to the nest!!! A sure sign that things had changed and there was at least one chick in the nest!
When I went back the following day (Sunday) I was able to see a feeding take place.

Small fish for lunch!

Feeding the chicks

Feeding the chicks, checking territory

Nest Exchange: NOT! 2.10.20

I saw two incomplete nest exchanges this afternoon. I am thinking that this is the male who was twice waved off by the female incubating the eggs. I have learned that generally, the female calls the shots regarding incubation. In this case, she didn't make a sound but perhaps the male is a mind reader! It continues to be a challenge telling these eagles apart in poor lighting conditions.

Landing in the nest tree.

 Awaiting instructions.

Leaving the nest tree.

 Landing in the guarding tree.

Leaving the guarding tree. He stayed just 2 minutes!

Flying down to the North Landing River.