Coundown 365 ~ T-211

Continuing to monitor the Eagle Nursery, awaiting the time that the the "little ones" will commence their flight training. They continue to develop rapidly, often sparring against one another to determine dominance. They have also developed territorial instincts, while observing them, a crow came to the nest to pick up scraps, all three of the "Little Ones" took exception to the intruder by flapping their wings and cackling. I was also fortunate to see both adult Eagles come to the nest at the same time. This is the first time I have seen the entire family together since the young ones were first hatched. The nest is just a little small to house all five birds at the same time.

"Wing Exercise"

"Family Gathering"

"Adult Departing The Nest"

"Airborne"

"Second Adult Departing"

"Watching The Parents Fly Away"

Countdown 365 ~ T-206

Since early spring, we have been fortunate to have several Cow Moose taking refuge in our meadow during the birthing of their calves. Although, we have not seen them in the past couple of weeks, one cow has returned to our lawn and adjoining meadow to once again take up residence. She and her calves showed up last evening and has remained to allow us a little time to enjoy their antics and natural curiosity. Although, they are starting to feed on the natural grasses, they still enjoy sipping a little fresh milk from mom, if she will hold still long enough. From her reactions, I am assuming the nursing period is coming to a conclusion. Despite how many of them you have seen, you can not help but snapping a few pictures and enjoying the miracles of mother nature.

"Mom And Her Babies"

"Curiosity About The Man With The Camera"

"High Stepping"

"Itchy Nose"

"Milk Shake On The Hoof"

Countdown 365 ~ T-203

I spent the better part of three hours this evening, sitting in the grasses and observing the activity at the nursery of the Eagle. It was time well spent, again by sitting and observing, you begin to understand what is transpiring within the family unit. The three little ones continue to grow and change daily but at the same time developing techniques that they will need to survive. Currently, they are on a learning curve to use their wings as well as vocal communication. Tonight the adult would cackle from the roosting tree and the little ones would respond with high pitched squeaks. I arrived after the adult had returned to the nest with dinner, patiently dividing the food between the three eaglets.

"Feeding Time"

Following dinner, the adult then went to a perch and remained there for several minutes, spreading it's wings in various formations. At the time, I did not know why it was going through a "stretching" program. But, note that the little ones are carefully observing.

"Elevated Wings"

"Take Off Wing Position"

"Wings Expanded For Take-Off"

"Adult Taking Position In Roosting Tree"

"Little One's Having A Conference"

"#3 Showing The Other Two How To Fly"

"Practicing Their Wing Formations"

"Attack Wing Spread"

"Squabble To Who Can Spread Their Wings Further Apart"

The little ones practiced their wing formations for about forty minutes, then finally settling in for a after dinner nap. Once they were at rest, the adult headed for the beach to feed. Just prior to the loss of shooting light, one adult returned to the "roosting tree". A few minutes later, it was joined by the other adult in a second tree, void of branches to roost.

"A Clear View Of The Area"

The first adult to return, used the normal roosting tree. It is closer to the nest and well camouflaged from intruders.

"Can You Spot The Adult Eagle

Countdown 365 ~ T-200

With just 200 days remaining in this calendar year, plans continue to be made for my "Bucket List" photo shoot trip. For the next thirty days, I will need to be content in shooting local shots with very few trips into the field. In the next thirty days, the Bull Moose will have their full growth of antlers and starting to slip velvet in preparation for the rut that will start the latter part of August or early into September. I continue to monitor the "Eagle Nest", they continue to raise their three babies but spending less time on the nest. Not out of neglect but lack of room for an entire family gathering. The little ones are now about half the size of their parents. Although, the adults do spend less time on the nest now, one normally remains on guard in a tree just a short distance from the nest. I have noticed that they always perch in the same tree, but once they are on they perch they roost among the leaves hiding their location instead of sitting on an open branch. My last few trips to the nest, I have not had the opportunity to see the adults on the nest. Tonight, I was fortunate enough to see one of the adults bringing in the remains of a filleted salmon carcass in their talons. They then spent the next half hour by cutting off pieces from the carcass and feeding the eaglets. Once the feeding process was completed, the adult returned to their normal "roosting tree".

"Dinner Being Delivered" "Eaglets Are Patiently Waiting For The Deliver" "Landing" "Dinner Time" "Dividing The Meal"

"Returning To the Roosting Tree"

Countdown 365 ~ T-188

Was out and about at first light this morning, primarily to check the nesting pair of Bald Eagles that I have been watching since early spring. After sitting at the nest for over an hour, I ventured to the Anchor River to check out the eagles. We are fortunate to have a larger population of eagles in the Anchor River Valley this season. Found a pair of young (immature) Bald Eagles playing in the river. Something that I did learn about eagles today, the young in the nest and these juveniles still have a dark colored beaks, however their legs and feet are yellow at birth.

"Head Dunking Contest" "Juvenile Launching"

"Airborne"

I was watching the two juveniles for just a short time when the adult landed to check out what the kids were feeding on. This was a coincidental meeting between the mature Bald Eagle and myself. I had just left the nesting area, watching the mate stand guard on the nest. I had been waiting for this one to return to get a picture of both of them on the nest. Now you may be wondering how I know it is the other part of the mating pair.

"A Warning To Others To Stay Back"

"Mirroring Himself"

After checking himself out in the water mirror, he picked up the entrails of a "cleaned fish" and headed to the nest to feed the young. I watched him as he entered the trees to where the nest was at, where I had been twenty minutes earlier.

"Taking Home The Bacon"

"NESTING AREA"

Shortly after arriving at the nesting area, the single Bald Eagle on the nest flew to a high branch on a nearby cottonwood tree. She sat there for a short while cackling but keeping a close eye on the young eagles in the nest. I am still not pleased with the shots that I have taken of the adults returning or departing the nest. The distance from nest is a problem, however, the speed that they approach and land is amazing. I am assuming as to not give away the location of the nest to predators. You can sit there for hours waiting for their return or launching, then you have a matter of seconds to focus and shoot the shot.

They are still raising the original three "eaglets", the little ones are growing rapidly and will soon start sprouting their main feathers to learn to fly. Today, I saw them flexing their "fluffy wings" several times so they are preparing themselves for that first scary launch. They are getting big enough now that they are crowding the "guardian" out of the nest, but they are content at sitting on the side and watching the kids.

"Returning To The Nest" "Landing"

"Parent And Baby"

"Watching The Brood"