immature bald eagle

Tag

By Don’t Blink

Jordan Lake. First Nest. Do not, I repeat, do not blink! I saw the first fledgling pop up out of the trees so I turned to follow it. Then realized the second fledgling was also in the air. By that time I had lost track of the first one. So like I said don’t blink … this is the second of the two fledglings. Hopefully in the next couple of days I’ll get pictures of both of them together!

By Fledged!

Jordan Lake. First Nest. One of the chicks has fledged! Here it is out and flying! I glanced back at the nest and the other chick was still in the nest and looked like it was pouting and wanted to be out flying too. I’m sure it will be in another day or two or three.

By Branching!

Jordan Lake. First Nest. “Oh, one of the chicks branched,” exclaimed Captain Doug as we came into the cove and could see the nest. The chick that is upper right in the photo is the one who has branched. Bald eagle chicks practice branching as the last step before they actually fledge. They hop, flutter, fly up to a branch above the nest. That way the chick gets some practice in using its muscles & wings while it still has the nest below as a safety net. This is the last step before the chick will fly away from the nest for the first time. Branch, chicks, branch!

By Growing!

Jordan Lake. First Nest. The chick is certainly growing rapidly! The bald eagle is one of the fastest maturing birds known. It looks like this fellow is now about 8 to 9 weeks old. He is looking all about for his parents. The chick appears to be very well fed but when you’re a youngster … you know how it goes … you want food now!

By First Nest Chick and Dad Bard

Jordan Lake. First Nest. This morning I managed to see the chick in the nest. It’s a little difficult to tell where the chick is so in the second photo I drew a circle around it. The chick is facing us. In the third photo you can see Dad Bart. He is preening hard! I did see Mom Kate but she went by so quick I didn’t get a photo of her.

By Growing Chick!

Jordan Lake. First Nest. Captain Doug was out and about and got us a great photo of the chick at First Nest. Oh how quickly bald eagle chicks grow. As far as we know there’s only the one chick in the nest.