bald eagle branching

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By Jordan Lake, Bald Eagle Nest report: First Nest

One of the chicks has branched. This is a very important exercise for the chick as the next step is to fledge. The chick is standing almost directly behind the big branch at the right edge of the nest. You can see some flickers as the chick decides if it is going to take that next step … up … This is called branching and the eaglets use these small upward flights, above the nest, to get muscled up for flight. Doing these first little leaps, using the nest as a safety net, are very, very important.

By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest report: Ranger Cove nest, 10 photos 05-14-2019
 Ranger Cove Nest
One of the chicks is branching.
It is getting strong enough to develop lift with its wings and bounce with its legs.
Suddenly it was in the air and popped up to a branch just above its head (the branch is on the other side of the trunk from us).
It was quite pleased with what it had done and proceeded to practice several more branchings.
Soon it will take the leap and fully fledge away from the nest.

By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest report: First Nest, 4 photos, 04-09-2019
Drat!!! Pollen!!! I found Caramel on a branch above the rim of the nest.
This activity is called branching and will lead to jumps and flights to higher limbs directly above the nest.
The branching can go on for up to about 2 weeks or last 2 days; depends on how precocious the chick is.
The next step is flight from the safety of the nest: fledgling.
I just wish the pollen hadn’t obscured the first photo.  Sigh.
 
Caramel is standing of a branch that is unseen.  He seems a little startled that he is above the nest.
 
 
Okay.  Now to get back to the safety of the nest. Jump and flap.
 
 
Look at me! I have landed!  I am safe.
 
 
Wow!  I really did it.  Branched a whole two feet or so from branch to the nest.  Oh, wow!