1) Petruchio came flying in, talons full of nesting material – a fair sized load.


2) 8 minutes later, Kate arrived with her talons also full of nesting material – a rather large load. Petruchio is capable of carrying large limbs and often does – but it is Kate that makes the large cargo runs of wet heavy nesting materials.
Notice too her large neck compared to her mate’s. She is overall about 30% bigger than Petruchio – this is true of all eagles.


3) There was a difference too in the final approach to the nest.
First, here is Petruchio. He easily lifts the materials high up over the rim of the nest in his approach to the nest.
4) Then here is Kate. She is going to barely make it over the rim with her heavier load.
Sorry about the “fading” on the left of this photo: I was shooting in a hurry through tree limbs and pine needles.

The 2 year-old bald eagle came sauntering into the cove.
 Looked up.  Knew he was in trouble.
Petruchio, the father eagle, was going to make sure the eaglet didn’t get close to the nest.
Petruchio opts to fool the 2 year old and overflies it and lets the juvenile think it is now chasing the adult.
Watch the youngster’s face as Petruchio (out of our sight) swaps ends and chases the intruder from the cove.

It was cold at Jordan Lake this morning.
Really cold.  Wind chill of 13 F.  And then it got really exciting.
A 2-year-old bald eagle zipped through the trees carrying a fish.
Right behind it was an 1-year-old eagle wanting to steal the 2-year-old’s fish.
And then, well, see if you can keep up with the fish and the number of eaglets!
You may need to go full screen to see them all.