neighdoctor

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By Jordan Lake Dam: Bald Eagle Chase, 2 photos 02/03/2019
There are 3 bald eagles in the chase.
The lowest bald eagle is a 3-year-old and it caught the fish that is dangling from one talon.
The adult bald eagle was right behind the 3-year-old when the youngster caught the fish and immediately the chase was on.
The best way for the catcher to hold onto his fish was to make it deep into the woods and land on a branch, fish again the branch.
The 3-year old had almost made it to safety when a 2-year-old eagle joined the chase and cut in below the adult.
The chase was fast and furious with a lot of screams. Ultimately, the 3-year-old lost the game and dropped the fish.
I have enclosed both a full-color and a black and white image.
The scene is so detailed that it may be easier to see the 3 eagles in one or the other photographs.
 
 
black and white of same photo

By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest report 5 photos 02/01/2019
Ranger Nest: has Egg(s).  Hooray!
 
I found both eagle parents sharing incubation duties this morning.
 
Ranger Mom incubating the egg.
Ranger Dad stretching about 150 feet from the nest.
 
Ranger Mom and Ranger Dad trading nest duties.
Ranger Mom flying out to get a break from the nest.
Ranger Dad incubating the eggs.
 
 
Ranger Mom soaking up some sunshine.

By Jordan Lake Neighborhood, 5 photos 01/30/2019
The golden hour gilds not only bald eagles, but red-shouldered hawks too.
 
This juvenile was very intent on something across the swampy part of the cove.
 
 
His interest pegged up a notch and he tapped his foot in anticipation.
 
 
His kee-ah, kee-ah call announced his growing impatience and readiness to hunt.
 
 
He glanced intently at me, making very certain I was watching – all youngsters want attention!
 
 
Then he launched and I wished him luck on his hunt.

By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest report: First Nest, 4 photos 01/29/2019
First Nest: Hatch!!!
 
Since I cannot see into the nest, I have to reply on indirect evidence that an egg(s) have hatched.
Mom Kate is showing one of the behaviors.
In her talons she has a mat of litter that has been soiled by the chick.
All birds keep their nests very clean and remove the soiled nesting materials.
Eagles take the used litter far from the nest before letting it drop to the ground.
 
 
Dad Petruchio is showing the other good indicator that there has been a hatch: feeding behavior.
Here he is bringing a small fish to the nest.
 
 
He then stands just within the nest, pulls the fish apart and leans over to feed the chick.
 
 
It didn’t take Petruchio more than a minute to feed the small chick.  
Dad Petruchio often takes a moment, as in this photo, and just watches the chick.