The Bald Eagle nesting season is almost over in western Pennsylvania. I thought this is a good time to reflect on two separate visits I made to an Ohio nest about 65 miles west of the Pennsylvania border.
This nest is very unique because the nest tree is situated on a hillside below the road giving birders and photographers a short 70 yard view into the bole of the nest.
On my first visit the single eaglet was a mere two weeks old.
Bald EagleFemale and Eaglet
While one adult was away from the nest most of the time, the mate was usually on the nest or perched nearby. Here is a rare occurrence when the eaglet was alone and gave its wings a stretch.
Bald EagleEaglet
Below is the male sitting on the nest with the eaglet. Normally, you can identify the female because she is larger than the male. that is true but this female also has a darkening behind and around her eyes. You will see that in later photos.
Bald EagleMale and Eaglet
The quality of care a Bald Eagle provides for its young is impressive. Here is “Dear Ol’ Dad” giving warmth to the inquisitive eaglet.
Bald EagleMale and Eaglet
I think the eaglet feels safe with its father.
Bald EagleMale and Eaglet
At this age, eaglets are fed quite often. I imaging it’s because their little bellies can’t hold much food. Dad was already on the nest when his mate arrived with a half eaten fish.
Bald EagleMale, Female (behind) and Eaglet down in nest
Shortly after mom arrives, the male leaves the nest.
Bald EagleMale, Female and eaglet down in nest
It’s time for a feeding.
Bald EagleFemale feeding Eaglet
That was the end of my first visit. I planned a return soon to see how much the eaglet grew.
I did return to the nest site two weeks later when the eaglet was four weeks old. Look at the difference in size in a short two weeks.
Even though it was much larger, it is still dependent on an adult to tear apart the food. The next photo is mom feeding the eaglet.
After feeding, the adult fluffs up the grasses in the bole and lays down on top of the eaglet usually causing the eaglet to rest and maybe go to sleep.
Sometimes the eaglet may take a nap and sometimes it stays alert.
It is comical watching the eaglet maneuver around the nest because it hasn’t grown into its feet yet.
It will be quite some time until these wings are large enough and strong enough to take it soaring into the sky.
At this age, it seemed like a change of guardian occurred every 2 hours.
Bald EagleFemale and Male in nest.
Here is mom and eaglet sitting on the nest.
I imagine it can get boring waiting for the eaglet to grow up and fledge the nest.
After a nap, it’s feeding time.
When the eaglet was two weeks old, I decided to shoot video of the eaglet being fed. As I was adding a 2X extender to my 600mm prime lens, they finished feeding. As I began the video, I captured the “after feeding” activity of the parent showing how they prepare the bole for nap time. The second part of this video was recorded two weeks later when the eaglet was four weeks old. This time I did capture the eaglet being fed.
Click the link below to start the video. It may take 10 seconds or so to buffer so please be patient after you press start.
Now that the eaglet is getting larger, it gets a little more alone time on the nest. Below is a photo of the female leaving the nest in route to a nearby branch.
She spent nearly 45 minutes alone on the branch.
As her mate approached the nest, she left her perch to explore the surrounding countryside.
It was dad’s turn to babysit.
I’ll wrap up this photo blog with a portrait of the eaglet with its father.
Thanks for looking,
Dan