eagle families of Jordan Lake

Category

By Waiting for a Fish…

Jordan Lake. First Nest. The triplets are together ~ 1000 ft from the nest. They are waiting in the flight path of the parent who might be bringing a fish to the nest. Once the fledglings see the parent heading for the nest it is a race between the siblings as to whom gets to the nest first and gets the fish. Sometimes, as we saw in the Bard video, collisions occur at the point of parent, fledgling and fish getting to the nest. Kate learned many years ago how to avoid these ambushes. Bard, this being his first batch of fledglings, is learning the hard way.

By ALL 3 of the Triplets Fledged!!!

Jordan Lake. First Nest. ALL THREE CHICKS HAVE FLEDGED! The smallest one this morning. In first 2 photos that is the controlled crash landing of the smallest chick as he got back to the nest after fledging; left wing hanging over nest brim. He was just fine – 3rd photo shows him pouting. He later took off again.
4th photo is 1st chick fledged. 5th photo, courtesy of Captain Doug, is biggest of triplets, fledged yesterday. Whew! Yay!!!!!

By Eaglets Branching!

Jordan Lake. First Nest. Two of the three triplets have branched. When a bald eagle chick branches it jumps / hops / half flies to a branch above the nest. They use the nest as a safety net below them. This is the last practicing step before they fly! Look for the 2 sets of yellow feet on the branch above and to the left of the chick in the nest.

By Victory Duet sung by Kate and Bard

Jordan Lake. First Nest Victory Duet. Bard is worried because Kate has gone to chase an intruder out of the cove and he also has a fish under his foot he needs to get to his chicks. When a bald eagle couple vanquishes an intruder they often sing a Victory Duet. Bard and Kate sing when Kate returns to the branch. These pairs often throw their heads back, pointing beak straight up and tell the heavens about the victory. Watch Kate literally shake with her song.