This is Petruchio, who is the mate to Kate, and he is fishing to provide her with food.
He will provide her with fish while she is patiently keeping their eggs warm and safe.
Kate began incubating her eggs on January 16, 2016.
If all goes well, the chicks should hatch about February 20.
I have been following this Jordan Lake pair of bald eagles since they built their nest in 2012.
I will continue to update their activities for you and for the Army Corps of Engineers’ eagle monitoring project.
You can find past stories about this pair and their offspring
in this blog.
eagle parents of New Hope
CategoryEagle Family Report
As is my wont after the eagle fledglings get out and about,
I stop by the Jordan Lake Eagle nest occasionally to check on the nest.
I always hope to catch a glimpse of the parents or maybe the fledglings.
On September 19, having just snapped a photo of the empty nest for my files, I heard a familiar eagle scream.
Kate came barreling across the cove heading straight for the nest.
She piled into the nest still screaming. I glimpsed a fledgling on a perch across the cove.
The immature eagle was quiet and watching the parent bird have a fit.
As quickly as Kate got to the nest, she bounced out again, flew across the cove, past the fledgling and was gone.
I don’t know what started the ruckus, but it sure was great seeing Kate and one of the fledglings.
eagle family report: dreaming state
Kate and Petruchio are no longer bringing fish to the nest.
Wynd and Ice have other things to learn.
The nest is empty for now.
I have photographed the nest in a dreaming state.
Come this December I will again regularly visit the nest –
as it awakens and receives preparations for another clutch of eggs.
eagle family report: Ice’s glare
I am glad I am not at the end of Ice’s glaring stare.
He has spread his wings to dissipate heat.
Note how much white there is on the underside of his wings.
Usually I see this kind of pattern on two year olds, not fledglings – and I call it the Navaho blanket look.
Compare it to yesterday’s photo with Ice with his back to you and Wynd from the underside.
eagle family report: Wynd and Ice
Ice had been hanging out on the roost beside the nest
occasionally giving a “weep-weep” call hoping for fish.
Suddenly Wynd came busting past the nest – screeching.
Wynd had seen a parent coming with fish.
Not to be left out of a meal, Ice jumped into the air and they both disappeared.
Been a long time since I caught them both in the same frame.
eagle family report: Ice
Mom Kate is plainly telling Ice that he better mind his eagle manners when he gets into the nest.
Her scowl and body posture are easy to see.
I think both parents are tired of hearing Ice screaming for food – you can hear him all over the cove.
I don’t know that he has made any effort to fish.
He made quick work of the fish Kate had just brought into the nest.
And then Ice proceeded to fly to where Kate was perched and landed on the same limb and began his begging all over again.
Kate left in a hurry.
doc ellen's journey 