Nest Building continues; February 25, 2014

I was able to grab a bit of time today to check on things at Honey Bee, on this cloudy day.  HK made two stick deliveries to the nest.

Then, HK sat in the nest for a while, looking around.

Finally, he hopped out onto a branch apparently surveying his territory.

Another photographer stopped by, got out of his SUV, and HK flew off.

Encounter time: 15 minutes.

February 18, 2014

Sometimes you just have to be happy spending time watching the subject of your photo observations. I love, LOVE HK in the nest but really enjoy him just perched on a branch.
Here is HK sitting in the nest.

He moves to a branch, and I wait, wait, wait, wait for him to come out in the open. It didn't happen.

No sightings for the next three hours. But HK finally reappears in the eating tree.

Time spent at Honey Bee: 3 hours, 27 minutes.

Valentine's Day with HK

Today was the first day of the Great Backyard Bird Count and I was at Honey Bee with several members of my neighborhood Bird Club to count the birds. We stopped close to HK's nest in the morning, but no one was at home. As we were about to leave, however, here he comes carrying a stick for the nest.

 HK treated us to a spectacular landing in the nest tree.

 He did some rearranging and gave us some intriguing looks.

Then, as quickly as it began, it was over. HK leaves the nest for an interlude with the Banded Female, perhaps.

Total observation time: 20 minutes.

February 11, 2013

I arrived to check on things at the nest and found HK in it, moving some sticks around.

He paused to admire his work.

 And took off.

 I had just located the banded female when he flew in and landed behind her with a fish.

She was very receptive and HK perched beside her very attentively while she consumed this tasty treat.

 Then, the Banded Female took off, but perched nearby.

HK flew down onto the driving range and looks like he was puzzled by all the golf balls.....does he think they are eggs maybe?

Observation time 2 hours.

February 10, 2014

These are a series of photos I took of HK as he was bringing in some pine straw to his nest during a snow shower.  I was parked by a fairway as he cruised by.

He was not at the nest by the time I arrived there and I was unable to relocate any more eagles that day.

February 8, 2014

I arrived at Honey Bee a little after 1pm and found the Banded Female sitting in what remains of the Osprey Nest. When she started vocalizing, I knew something was about to happen.

 HK was arriving! He was also vocalizing.

HK came in very fast.

And, I think he landed on the Banded Female! She was NOT happy!

He immediately hopped off....backwards.

And perched on the tower.  The two Eagles regarded each other.

Then HK hopped back beside her.

They moved around for a bit, then HK bounced back out again.

She started moving around some then she bounced to the other side of the tower.

Several minutes later, they both flew in opposite directions. This is HK. He dropped low over the golf course for about 45 seconds and then.....

HK reappeared with this huge stick and headed in the direction of his nest.

I was not able to relocate him or the Banded Female that day. Time spent at Honey Bee: 2 hours 15 minutes.

February 7, 2014: HK watches Navy jets

Some days, the eagles are not active when I'd like them to be! The only eagle I saw today was HK, which is always a joy! Here, he seems to be contemplating two US Navy jets (a common occurrence in my area).

Later, he seemed to toss me an over the shoulder glance before he took off.

HK,the Banded Female, and a young juvie interloper, February 4, 2014

10:27am arrival. I found the Banded Female in a tree overlooking the North Landing River.

 HK was nearby by, but I was focused on her. She took off, heading directly towards me.

But she took a turn.

And I turned back just to see HK take off after her.

I lost them but eventually found this juvenile eagle by the golf maintenance building.

I was hoping it was a banded one seen earlier in January, but it appeared to be unbanded. A beautiful, young Bald Eagle, nonetheless.

Time at Honey Bee: 2 hours.