Encounter with HK 12.26.15

I took a chance the day after Christmas and drove to Honey Bee. I only had about an hour before guests arrived for dinner, but decided to take the chance. Luck was with me as HK was in the Osprey nest tower surrounded by fog.

I drove to another side, hoping the light was better. It was....slightly.

After several minutes, HK flew down a fairway and landed in a dead tree.

I drove around a very long block and was able to relocate him in a dead snag where I have seen eagles perched several times. Reluctantly,  I had to leave the car, which I use as a shield. Fortunately, this day, HK cooperated and never moved.  I was able to take a series of portrait type photos and to change locations while doing so.

It was a chance encounter but I felt exhilarated, as I left him in that tree.

HK. 12.23.15.

Not a lot of time during the busy holiday season, but I took a break and drove to Honey Bee hoping to catch an eagle. This is the 3rd day of gray, misty, rainy skies.
HK was in the second Osprey nest right at the Honey Bee entrance. The day was drawing to an end, so I parked and mostly just watched him. I was hoping another eagle might show, but it didn't happen.

HK and Sterling. 12.22.15.

I received a report of 2 Bald Eagles on the towers on S. Independence this morning. It was a couple of hours before I could get out there but, sure enough, HK was on one tower and Sterling was on the other. Another day of fog, mist, and rain.
Here is HK.

And, the lovely Sterling.

HK in the nest and elsewhere. 12.16.15.

It's no secret that I love to see HK in the nest he built at Honey Bee. He was right there when I went to Honey Bee this morning.

He had some food in there and spent over an hour eating a leisurely breakfast and popping up and looking around.

 At one point, a second eagle flew high overhead, and HK chattered a warning....or maybe a greeting?

Then, HK abruptly left. But, that's how I determined his identity!

I was immediately able to relocate him in a nearby tower.

He left there after just a few minutes.

HK flew up, up, and away. And I left for a bird count at Stumpy Lake, also hoping I might find him there. But I didn't.
I returned to Honey Bee on my way home, and there was an Eagle in the cell tower. I assumed it was HK also.

I watched for a while, but I had family obligations at home, so I left him there and snapped the last pic on my way out of the condo neighborhood.

HK Tower Hopping, 12.8.15

When I found HK this morning, he was in the nest, of all places!

He moved briefly out to a branch.

And flew to a nearby tower.

He spent the rest of the morning hopping from tower to tower.

Eventually, HK flew and caught a thermal way, way up... and flew out of sight.

HK: December 2, 2015

I am back from Thanksgiving in Florida and wanted to get out right away to find HK. The Bald Eagles in Florida are mating and laying eggs already! An exciting time!
It was foggy, then very overcast but it only took a little bit of searching; HK showed up on the original Osprey nest tower. He did some squawking.

And a lot of just looking around.

HK jumped in the nest a few times.

After over three hours of this, he flew at dusk.  I was able to quickly relocate him in his nest tree. Photographing was tough in the rapidly fading light, but he was quite cooperative.