First Nest. Kate is carrying a large bundle of reeds and grasses. She and Bard will use these reeds to weave between the branches that have been added to the nest. This kind of nesting material keeps the eggs from falling through the gaps in between the newly repaired areas. Next step will be the addition of soft grasses to the floor of the nest to provide a soft place for Kate to make an egg cup that will cradle the eggs.
Jordan Lake. First Nest. Oh, oops! Dad Bard is persistent! Bald eagles and ospreys both tend to snatch limbs for their nests right off of a standing tree. Bard did that trick and you can see why his choice of branch got him into trouble this time.
First Nest. This morning started early with Kate bringing in a small stick to begin repair work on the nest. Every year the parent bald eagles have to make sure the nest is repaired and safe for egg laying and then the chicks. Kate and then Bard bring in sticks and then begin the work of weaving the sticks into the nest. Bard gets rather frustrated and it shows. I have to hand it to him … he does work hard. The last stick brought in is a gloriously long one – twice the length of Bard!
First Nest Update. Mom Kate was a half mile away from me when she realized a 3-year-old bald eagle was too close to her nest. Watch what happens. A wild beginning to the 2023 – 2024 bald eagle breeding season at Jordan Lake.
I have opened a new gallery …
http://www.docellensnaturephotography.com
There is nothing quite like the arrogance of a 3-year-old bald eagle. This one is showing the definitive 3-year face stripe that is almost a mask. It’s beak still has some smudges of darkness as it goes towards the bright yellowing of an adult. Raptors often rest with 1 foot up like this one is doing. If it were cold that resting foot might have been tucked up against its tummy. Hope you enjoy this part of the cruise that Captain Doug and I took yesterday at Jordan Lake.
doc ellen's journey 