H&G nest

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By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest: H&G nest, 10 photos 06-23-2019
H&G Nest
Bald eagle chicks are hatched with their arrogance and aggression present from the moment of breaking out of the shell.
These are the 2 fledglings from the H&G nest.  Siblings.
They fought for dominance in the nest, and even though they only began flying 3 weeks ago, the desire for dominance is on display.
Upside down.  Inside out.  All over the sky they flew and practiced the skills they would need in 5 years in order to win a mate.

By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest: H&G nest, 5 photos 06-14-2019
Jordan Lake Bald Eagle nest: H&G nest and Shadows
This morning Hershey, like me (see earlier post), found his own shadow.
His face was bisected by the leading edge shadow of his wing.
Hershey then flew out of the shadow on the next wing beat.
Flew into the shadow of his wingtip which cradled his face.
Flew out again.
The last I saw of him, his wingtip shadow was edging across his chest as he flew into the shadow of the tree at the bend of the shoreline.
He was headed toward his nest.

By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Fledgling: H&G Nest 06-01-2019
Well, Dad Hershey had made this landing look easy and so his fledgling gave it a try.
But sticking a landing on a small round jagged top of a snapped-off tree trunk is an exercise that takes a lot of practice.
Just where do you place your feet when there is no limb which you can wrap your talons around?
This fledgling finally got both feet on the snag and was very proud of himself.

By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest: H&G Nest, 10 photos, 05-30-2019
H&G Nest
 
Mom Godiva had been lurking on a high perch when she jumped and streaked to just above water level.
Her direction was taking her straight down the shore line.
I heard a great blue heron give its grumpy annoyed don’t-you-dare-disturb-me yell.
Floating behind the heron was a dead fish.
I realized that the eagle’s flight path was straight for the heron.  Both birds wanted the fish.
I wondered if a collision was eminent.
But, no.  Godiva lifted up over the heron, glanced down at the fish and kept moving past.
I continued to track Godiva and when I looked back to the heron, it had flown almost out of sight, fish dangling from its beak.

By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Fledge: H&G nest, 9 photos 05-28-2019
H&G Nest
 
I found Godiva sitting to the far left.  One chick on the rim of the nest.  One chick to the far right on a branch.
Mom Godiva flew out and I tracked her only to realize that one of the chicks had flown too!!!
I don’t know if the chick had fledged yesterday or today, but I am happy for the new flier.
The fledgling flew, circled, got tired and even though about 500 feet from the nest, dropped his feet for landing.
All fledglings make controlled crashes for landings.  This fledgling almost forgot to put on the brakes!
He was still going full speed when he disappeared from sight behind the main trunk.