HK Builds His Nest

HK Builds His Nest

Monday, May 11, 2015

As the nest turns: Sterling makes an appearance with HK! 5.10.15

I went out on a mission to find HK and see if he was still hanging out with the "Unbanded Female." I did not find anything in the new location. So, I made my usual "rounds." The last stop was behind Rosemont Forest Elementary School. I could see a white head in the trees behind the school as soon as I entered the parking loop. The school property is only accessible after hours, so I was thankful it was Sunday. I gazed out over the North Landing River through my binoculars and observed a second Bald Eagle, maybe 10-20 yards from the first one. Then, the sky opened up and it poured.
After the shower was over I tried a few photos. I was totally surprised to discover that the larger Bald Eagle was Sterling!

This discovery was confirmed by her single silver band when she took off after an Osprey appeared.

And the smaller Bald Eagle did turn out to be HK, also based on his purple and silver bands.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

HK to the rescue 5.8.15.

I checked out the same spot this morning where I saw HK and his companion yesterday, and the companion was squawking her head off as I arrived.

Then she sat for a bit.

Two Red-tailed Hawks were harassing her. Here's one, directly overhead. It actually landed in the same tree. The Hawks may have a nest close by. She held her ground for about twenty minutes, and was repeatedly dive bombed by both Hawks.

Suddenly, a second Eagle appeared on the scene. The purple and silver bands identified this Eagle as HK. He circled overhead, calling out.

The companion Eagle then left the tree. The picture is zoomed to show she (I assume a female) is not banded.

Here she is as she and all the other birds left the vicinity.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

HK reappears (with a different companion) 5.7.15.

Acting on a tip I received via my  Honey Beeagles Facebook page, I went to a new location on the North Landing River to try to locate HK or any Bald Eagle for that matter. As with all previous tips I have received this way, I was not disappointed.
Even with the terrible back lighting, I immediately saw a Bald Eagle perched in a pine tree. As the Eagle turned, I thought that I saw that it was banded with both silver and purple bands; so I was assuming HK (upper left). Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a second Eagle, also in the pine (lower right).

As I focused on what did turn out to be HK, he turned to leave. I think I would now know his face anywhere.

About 30 seconds after HK's departure, his companion also left. She (I assume a female) was apparently not banded.