Sterling pays HK a Visit

HK was deep inside his nest when I checked it this afternoon. He was having lunch. A bloody beak was seen when he came up.

He then moved some sticks around.

Suddenly some chattering!

He moved out to another branch and did some feaking.

And abruptly took off!

I left too and was surprised to find HK perched on a tower with.....Sterling! She's on the top.

After a few minutes, HK left and gave a nice flyby.

I was especially excited when he flew past the waxing crescent moon. I'd been hoping for that shot for 5 years!

Meanwhile, Sterling perched on the tower for almost 2 hours.

While HK hung around the clubhouse area.

And flew from place to place.

But ended back in the same tree, which is where I left him.

HK on the golf course 11.30.16.

HK spent a couple of hours on the golf course this afternoon. There were a lot of folks playing golf, with the temperature in VA Beach in the mid 70's. That didn't seem to bother him. I observed him on three different holes plus the driving range. All photos were at a considerable distance as the couse was being played up to about 4 pm.
HK flies down the North Landing River, adjacent to the driving range. He landed on shore, out of view.

HK pops up!

Later, HK was relocated by the first tee and the putting green, taking a bath.

He flew across the river. And was not relocated.

HK 11.28.16. 5th Anniversary of documenting Honey Beeagles

Five years ago today, I came across several Eagles gathered at Honey Bee Golf Course. One was eventually determined to be banded BE "Sterling," who I photographed for the first time on this date.
Today, with the temperature in the high 50's I took advantage of the meadow field being cut to take a small chair down close to the Eagle feeding/perching area. As I was setting up, HK landed. He sat there for a long time, chattering out to at least 2 eagles that flew high overhead. None landed.

But eventually, HK took off. It's always nice to catch the takeoff and flyby.

I relocated HK on an Osprey nest tower by the golf club entrance. After 5 years, I must have thousands of similar photos, so I am just publishing one here.

Then, back to another tree. I guessed wrong on this landing.

But, I was able to see him catch a fish from my location downriver.

I could not find HK after he left to eat. It was a great afternoon, just me and HK.

HK at the golf course. 11.22.16.

After searching down near Stumpy Lake, I finally located HK right back at Honey by the clubhouse.  The day was ending, the sun was setting, and the course was closing. I walked out to the putting green with a golfer and got reasonably close. I hoped he would not fly but.....

HK took off anyway.

After a while, he reappeared in another tree. I was not paying attention!

Then, HK flew to one of his very favorite viewing spots, the original Osprey nest tower.

 I left him there as the sun went down. He looked like he was searching for someone. No other eagles were seen.

HK 11.17.16 and 11.19.16

I had a couple of small windows of opportunity to scout out HK this week at Honey Bee. Fortunately, he was fairly easy to locate but not to photograph closely. Both times he was in the front of the golf course, so not approachable.
So, both these photos are from about 150- 175 yards. No other Eagles were observed.
First photo on 11.17.16.

Second photo on 11.19.16. I was able to spend about an hour with HK on this day.

HK and Sterling on Veteran's Day

Sterling was easily observed in the cell tower as I entered the condo parking lot.

She flew within 10 minutes. Nice flyover though!

As soon as she flew, Reese Lukei drove up and said a guy walking his dog had unintentionally spooked her. It is always a pleasure to see Reese!
After Reese left, I spent about an hour or so hoping to find another Bald Eagle. Eventually, HK showed up on the Osprey nest tower.

An unbanded, adult eagle flew over and took a look at HK. Neither made a sound.

A City worker came and took some measurements on the Bridge, causing HK to fly, but just to the first tee. The Crows started pestering him.

So, HK took off yet again.  So powerful and with such an easy grace, HK lifts off.

And landed at the cell tower. He spent a few more minutes there. It's one of is favorite lookouts.

 
When he left there, I called it a day! A very good day, seeing both Sterling and HK...but not together.

More of the newcomer. 9.25.16.

I did not see HK today but the beautiful new Eagle from the other day was back on the cell tower. I watched for about 45 minutes but no other Eagle appeared.

The Newcomer

This beautiful young lady spent a brief moment on the cell tower then flew overhead and disappeared. No other Bald Eagles observed.

HK. 9.19.16

After a couple of days of historic rainfall, I ventured out to Honey Bee and found HK drying out.

Just HK 9.18.16

Sometimes a quick view of HK is all you get!

HK hunts a nutria 9.17.16

I was found HK perched in a tree today. I watched for over an hour when he suddenly took off after something swimming the the water.  It was later identified by Reese Lukei as a nutria. I was so excited to catch HK on the hunt, even at a distance. He made two passes at the nutria, but seemed to have second thoughts about catching it.

The second pass.

HK Goes Fishing

I am trying to get some early starts to my birding activities and this morning did not disappoint.  After seeing zero activity at HK's nest I went around to Ware Neck to see if anything was having breakfast. I saw that HK was in a tree on the opposite side of the water from the golf course. I guess he was in the fishing mode because almost immediately he took off right towards me!
In this photo, he has just flown under the power lines.

HK makes a turn.

 He seemed to hover over me.

 And dives on a fish...or part of a fish!

 This was my fav of the sequence though.

Then HK headed towards his nest but ending up dining alone on a tree on the golf course.

It was a VERY exciting morning!