Elena and I decided to visit Pymatuning and M.K. Goddard State Parks with hopes to photograph Snow Buntings, Rough-legged Hawks, and Bald Eagles. Our first destination of the morning was Pymatuning. Just so I don't bore you by getting long-winded, I'll jump to 3:00 in the afternoon when we drove up to the shore of Lake Wilhelm with only a few Canada Goose photos and only sightings of the other birds I was after.
We found one of the nesting eagle pair sitting on the ice near a very small patch of open water. Elena asked if it was the male or female. I said I couldn't tell until the mate came. There are a few subtle differences between the male and female but the easiest way to tell is when they are together. Females are larger.
We watched the lone eagle quite a while as it took several drinks of water and pecked at the ice.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
All of a sudden it began to vocalize. I asked Elena to watch the sky because either its mate is nearby or an intruder is in its territory.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
As you can see, it was a juvenile Bald Eagle intruding. In case you don't know, the nesting adults have been nesting less than 1/4 mile away for years so they are literally defending their territory. The juvenile ignored the warnings of the adult and landed on the ice.
Bald Eagle
Apparently not liking that, within seconds the adult left the ice to chase the juvenile away.
Bald Eagle
There were a couple scuffles between the two eagles but they were too far for photos. Eventually, the adult eagle returned to the same spot on the ice. I am thankful it didn't land further out on the ice.
Bald Eagle
After the adult landed, the juvenile, showing its tenacity, followed and landed right behind the adult.
Bald Eagle
The adult began to vocalize again. This time, I believe it was calling for its mate.
Bald Eagle
The juvenile began jousting with the adult.
Bald Eagle
The irritated adult began another pursuit.
Bald Eagle
So far, we still don't know the gender of this eagle. But we are about to find out. I'm going to give it away right now so ladies, get ready to roar. Hearing the calls of her mate, the FEMALE came soaring out of nowhere.
Bald Eagle
She attacked the renegade juvenile. I guess I got a little excited because most of the fight scene photos were blurry so those photos went into the trash bin.
Bald Eagle
Now that the juvenile is up against two fighting eagles, he disappeared across the lake. After circling the area a couple times the female landed about 10 yards from the male and they began vocalizing with each other.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
After about five minutes, everybody was calmed down so she began to walk towards her mate.
Bald Eagle
The way she was fluffing up as she walked toward the male I kinda knew what was going to happen.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
They have been working on their nest daily so I guess it's time to fill it with eggs.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
The entire act lasted about 10 seconds then he used her right wing as a "running board" to step down. That was nice of her.
Bald Eagle
After all that excitement, they sat quietly on the ice.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
It was after 5 o'clock and the pair was still sitting quietly on the ice. Finally, they began to wander around. It was time for one to go to the nest site.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
The other flew to a clear portion of the ice and gingerly walked around. Apparently, there are dead shad under the thin ice and it could see the fish.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
Below is a sort video of the Bald Eagle picking up bits of food from the ice. Click the icon in the center to begin the video.
Bald Eagle
With no way to get the fish under the ice, the eagle flew off too.
Bald Eagle
Thanks for looking,
Dan
