immature eagle

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By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest: Ranger Cove, Ranger Dad and a Squirrel 06-08-2019
Ranger Cove Bald Eagle Nest
Ranger Dad brought a squirrel to the nest this morning.
The squirrel was so heavy that Ranger Dad had to slide in sideways to the nest and slam on his brakes.
The unfledged chick was still in the nest and it promptly pounced on the squirrel.
This made the eaglet fledgling, who was up top on the right hand trunk, pretty darn mad.
So mad that he flew/fell/crash landed down into the nest.
Then it was a free-for all for possession of the squirrel.
 Ranger dad stayed out of the fight until he decided that he should be the one to parcel out the food.

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 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.

By Jordan Lake: Osprey, Bald Eagle and a Fish Crow, 10 photos 05-17-2019
Sometimes the Victory Goes to the Bird with the Most Attitude
 
A female osprey went cruising past me with a large fish and she disappeared around the next bend.
I heard the osprey scream and she came tearing back around toward me with a young bald eagle chasing her.
The young eagle had almost caught up with the osprey when a much smaller bird changed the chase.
Both the osprey and eagle had crossed the territory boundary of a fish crow.
The fish crow went for the eagle and managed to turn the bigger bird back toward the way it had come.
Last I saw of the eagle it was still yelling and trying to get the crow to leave it alone.