First Nest

Tag

By ALL 3 of the Triplets Fledged!!!

Jordan Lake. First Nest. ALL THREE CHICKS HAVE FLEDGED! The smallest one this morning. In first 2 photos that is the controlled crash landing of the smallest chick as he got back to the nest after fledging; left wing hanging over nest brim. He was just fine – 3rd photo shows him pouting. He later took off again.
4th photo is 1st chick fledged. 5th photo, courtesy of Captain Doug, is biggest of triplets, fledged yesterday. Whew! Yay!!!!!

By Victory Duet sung by Kate and Bard

Jordan Lake. First Nest Victory Duet. Bard is worried because Kate has gone to chase an intruder out of the cove and he also has a fish under his foot he needs to get to his chicks. When a bald eagle couple vanquishes an intruder they often sing a Victory Duet. Bard and Kate sing when Kate returns to the branch. These pairs often throw their heads back, pointing beak straight up and tell the heavens about the victory. Watch Kate literally shake with her song.

By Dad Bard Hunting on the Ground

Jordan Lake. First Nest. Dad Bard is hunting on the ground. I don’t know what he found. Most likely a small bird or small mammal. He took it to the nest. Watch the reaction of the three chicks as they see Dad coming in. Everybody piles in on Dad’s feet. He manages to stay up right. At the end you can tell by which way dad and two of the chicks are looking to the left who got whatever the food was. What a melee.

By Meal Delivery on the Way

Jordan Lake. First Nest. Mom Kate is headed for the nest. She is carrying what appears to be the remains of a carp. She and Bard are almost on a continuous loop: drop off a fish and go catch another fish and get back to the nest … the chicks are growing fast and demanding more fish!