Sunday, March 22, 2009

American Bald Eagles

Any day you see an eagle is a very good day.
~Frank Leonard
Truer words were never spoken, thank you Frank. We are fortunate to have an increase in the bald eagle population in our region and there are several nests that are actively incubating right now. My hubby and I went to two of them today and we were able to observe one eagle on each nest, each tending to incubating duties. I was hoping I would observe an incubation duty exchange or a feeding, but was happy just to be able to see one of these regal birds on the nest. The pictures below are of a nest that has been active for over ten years now, some people tell me it's actually been as many as twenty years. Although the nest is fairly close to the road it is within a state game lands and the area is restricted to all but authorized personnel, which keeps the area close to the nest relatively undisturbed. There is also an abundant food source including fish in the creek that runs below the nest. In spring the creek is swollen, attracting many migrating and resident waterfowl that are fair game for the eagles.

In a couple of months from now the nest won't even be visible from the road as the leaves fill in.


This red-tailed hawk was soaring near the nest looking around the game lands for its next meal.I don't think that the eagles' nest near my home will be active this year. Tom Wasilewski from the Presque Isle Audubon Society Eagle Watch Program thinks that there might be another nest further up the creek. I think he may be right because the eagles are still being seen up there. We are trying to get permission from the landowners to go further up the creek. I'll let you know if we find anything:)

Toni and I will bringing you more information about the local eagles on our new blog, Presque Isle, Naturally. The eagles' nest that is on Presque Isle does not appear to be active at this time but we are not giving up hope yet.

11 comments:

Mary said...

I like your new blog, Michele.

I must add, I've never seen a bald eagle in the wild. What a thrill. Thanks for sharing this story.

Mary

Willard said...

Nice shots! It's really good to be able to see something like that and photograph it over a period of time, but as you say the leaves will stop that, but at least you should have a few more weeks of photographing them.

Kim said...

Fantastic photos and you are so lucky to be able to experience all of this!

Anonymous said...

Very nice photos Michele! Hope you get permission from landowner for other area.

Unknown said...

Hey Michele, Awesome photos. Did today's turn out? Thanks for taking me along. Mine are ok but just ok. ha.

Leedra said...

I agree with the quote...great shots. Wish you could see them all summer and keep us posted.

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Kathleen said...

I also have never seen a bald eagle in the wild. Someday...

The soaring photo is inspiring.

Carolyn H. said...

I first heard the "any day you see an eagle is a good day" quote at least 20 years ago. I'm pretty sure I heard it first on Hawk Mountain, and it might have been spoke by Jim Brett, then HM's curator. If not he, then it was long-time Broadwing lover Charlie Gant. In any event, it's interesting that the sentence has apparently developed a life of its own.

Carolyn H.

MicheleRF said...

Carolyn-The statement was made by a friend of mine who's wife later told me he had heard it, or something similar to it, in a John Denver song?

Carolyn H said...

Michele RF,

Whereever the sentence originally came from, it's a good one!

Carolyn H.

BethanyD said...

Nice shots! This is the first pic that I've seen this year of an eagle perched in the nest! Thanks


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