Kate

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By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest report: First Nest

Sometimes, it takes a “not-seeing” moment for me to realize in the next blink, that I am “seeing” something. For instance, that is Kate standing in her nest. In the 1st photo, look between Kate’s left shoulder and the tree branch and note the empty space there. In the second photo, a small darkness has appeared in that same gap. In the 3rd photo the darkness has become one of her chicks! In the 4th photo, the chick has disappeared again. Neat sequence of Kate’s approximately 5-6 week old chick peeking past her shoulder.

By Jordan Lake: 3 Bald Eagle Nest reports, 5 photos
Captain Doug and I went cruising the lake in his boat, looking for the fledglings and parents.
All the nests have now fledged their chicks and so its hard to find the families.
The two fledglings at the H&G Nest of Godiva and Hershey.
One fledgling is just to the left of the nest, at nest brim height.
The other fledgling is way to the left in the photo and near the top – it is small so look carefully.
At First Nest we could see the nest was in good shape, but didn’t see the fledglings.
We rounded the corner to find Mom Kate looking at something way up high and ignoring us.
At Captain’s Nest we hit the jackpot and found the family at home.
This photo has both fledglings in it.
One up high over the nest and the other fledgling you can just see the roundness of the top of its head at the nest brim.
Captain Nest Dad coming in for a landing.
Captain Nest Mom, being imperious and a joy to see.

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!