We started this month on Monday with an eagle – which was grand because we hadn’t had one in a long time. This morning, at 06:14 AM, Lady Lake appeared out of the rising sun and soared past me. My oh my. Two neat bald eagles for me to share with you in one week! I haven’t seen Lady Lake of the LL&H nest since the beginning of the year.
The chicks are beginning to exercise their wings, legs and chest. They have to be strong for that first flight! I call this practice work “trampolining”. Bounce, young ones, bounce!!!!!
We got by the nest this morning to find Captain Mom and both chicks doing well. These chicks have really grown. This nest is about the last one on the lake to have their babies fledge out – they should fly in about 2 weeks. It sure was great getting to see Mom eagle and her chicks!
Raptors usually get all the fluids their bodies need through the moist food they eat. But sometimes a good drink of water is needed. Did you know that most birds cannot swallow water like you or I or a cat or dog can? Nope, their anatomy allows them to lap the water into their beaks but they don’t have the ability to swallow the liquid like a horse would do. So, they lap up the water, tilt their heads skyward and let gravity take the liquid into their digestive tract. Watch the birds at your waterers at home and you will notice the same behavior that Captain Mom is showing us here. I made this series of photos on 03/18/2020.
Bald eagles are not usually sociable. They tolerate a mate and their chicks. Sometimes in winter, bald eagles will congregate around a food source, but argue about it. Once a chick has fledged, the parents will provide it some food and protection into the fall, but then the fledgling is on its own. I have watched, once or twice a year, an eaglet (starting its first or second year of life) make a trip back to its home nest and be briefly tolerated by the parents. On March 26, 2020, I finally got to record one of these encounters. Kate and one of her chicks are visited by the 2019 male fledgling from First Nest. Eventually Petruchio took exception to the visitor and chased it away. I sure am glad I could show you this uncommon bald eagle event!
doc ellen's journey 