immature bald eagle

Tag

By Jordan Lake: Bald Eagle First Nest Unusual Event

Bald eagles are not usually sociable. They tolerate a mate and their chicks. Sometimes in winter, bald eagles will congregate around a food source, but argue about it. Once a chick has fledged, the parents will provide it some food and protection into the fall, but then the fledgling is on its own. I have watched, once or twice a year, an eaglet (starting its first or second year of life) make a trip back to its home nest and be briefly tolerated by the parents. On March 26, 2020, I finally got to record one of these encounters. Kate and one of her chicks are visited by the 2019 male fledgling from First Nest. Eventually Petruchio took exception to the visitor and chased it away. I sure am glad I could show you this uncommon bald eagle event!

By Jordan Lake, Haw River: Bald Eagle Sky Fishing

Two 4-year-old bald eagles came up from the Haw River and the chase was on.  The lead bald eagle had a rather small fish tucked tight against its tail and the other eagle wanted the fish. Gravity exerted its pull on the fish. The lead eagle lost its grip on the fish.  Instantly the sky fishing game was on as the following bald eagle sought to catch the fish … in mid-air.  I have seen this happen (eagle on eagle or eagle on osprey) but never gotten even close to the half-way decent photos I captured this morning.  My oh my!  Aerial dexterity in the extreme.  Oh, and did the eagle catch the fish……. the slideshow has the exciting answer!

By Jordan Lake, Haw River: 2 Fish for a 2-Year-Old Bald Eagle

This youngster had a fish in his right foot and was headed to the safety of the trees to eat it, when a second fish caught his eye.  I don’t often see eagles or ospreys go after a second fish while they are already carrying the weight of a first fish.  Not to mention the dexterity needed to hold on to one fish while grabbing a second one from the water.  This youngster managed to keep both fish and made it into the trees.  Pretty neat fishing!