At the end of the day: HK and Sterling

After I spent about an hour and 45 minutes at an empty nest on an absolutely gorgeous day,  HK and Sterling were located on the cell tower, together. 5:42pm.

HK and a persistant sub adult 1.27.16

I arrived at Honey Bee very late this afternoon. There was a "sub-adult" eagle in HK's nest, about 4 years old.

 It didn't take long for HK to arrive on the scene. He was not happy, it appeared.

So, HK sat in the nest, briefly, with the sub adult beside and to the left.

Then, I guess HK had enough, and he "escorted"  the eagle out.

And returned to the nest tree.....keeping watch.

HK and Sterling in the nest tree. 2.26.16.

I arrived at Honey Bee late in the afternoon.  Because of the events that transpired after this photo, I believe this is HK and Sterling.

I left for the nest and saw 3 eagles flying as I drove there. I parked and left my car as there were already a couple of photographers there. We were all watching a juvenile eagle, when I suddenly noticed that HK had snuck in and perched directly overhead!

He provided us with an awesome photo op, when he suddenly announced that an eagle was in the area!

The other eagle flew directly into the nest. This eagle turned out to be Sterling.

HK flew to the nest.

Sterling in the nest. She moved some stuff around.

Then, Sterling moved to an outside branch in the nest tree. She provided her own photo op for us. These are just a couple of over 100 photos of this beautiful eagle.

In the meantime, HK remained in the nest,  trying to make it attractive, I guess.

They left together, flying to the river, perched in different trees, but close.  And, we were left still wondering what tomorrow will bring.

HK's Morning Visitors 2.25.16.

HK had 4 visitors to his territory this morning.
First, this stunning Eagle flew by me on the way to check out HK.

Then, this adult landed down the river from me and HK came in to check it out.

The 3rd, a youngster, flew right by me, same as the first one!

Last, but not least, Sterling arrived! That's Sterling on the left.

HK spent a lot of time working on the nest and brought in nesting material 4 times during the 4 hours I was at Honey Bee this morning.
Here he is moving a huge stick.

HK resting.

Arriving with some soft stuff to line the nest.

More soft stuff on the way to the nest.

What an awesome way to spend the morning!

HK working and watching. 2.23.16.

I had two reports of HK and a second Bald Eagle working in the nest this morning. By the time I arrived, only HK was present.

He left, but eventually returned bringing in some soft material. Weather conditions were overcast with mist, rain, and some patchy fog, which made photography challenging.
I drove around looking for him and did locate him perched on a tree at the first tee. No photo, but I did note 2 golfers teeing off in the rain...crazy I know but who am I to judge?
When I returned to the nest area, HK was in a nearby tree, practically over the road. He left but eventually returned to the same spot and stayed about an hour. He chattered twice, but no other eagle materialized.

I was ready for the take off for once. Even with the nasty weather conditions, catching the power and grace of a Bald Eagle as it reaches for the sky never gets old.

HK and a nice close up of a youngster

A beautiful, warm day in Virginia Beach today with temps in the 60's. As I drove into the Honey Bee area, I saw this sub adult perched on the golf course. It looked familiar.

But, I was searching for HK and after checking out some other locations, after an hour I found him on a tower at the Honey Bee entrance, across from the sub adult.

He left, after a short time.

And was relocated in his nest. Here he is hopping out to an adjacent branch.

I missed the departure.  So, I went over to Rosemont Forest School to see if any juvenile eagles were hanging out. I was not disappointed. This one landed in a tree not too far away.

It gave a 200 plus picture air show, before disappearing high up and circling up up and away with 2 adults and another juvie. Here's one photo.

HK dines and departs

I had some personal business to attend to today, so it wasn't until after 4pm that I was able to get to Honey Bee. I saw several photographers out on the S. Independence Bridge. They looked cold and I didn't want to be at the end of the line, so I drove to HK's nest area. Not seeing him there, I drove around the block, just in time to see him crossing a fairway of the golf course with a fish!

HK seemed to be making a bee line to the nest, so that's where I went. Sure enough, he was there, having fish for supper!

It didn't take long for HK to finish, so he went to an adjacent branch to "feak" his beak.

Then, HK went out a bit further. I just love it when he raises his beautiful wings!

He went out just a bit further to another branch, and gave all the photographers who had arrived from the bridge, an outstanding look at his stunning beauty. What a great moment!

Then, just as suddenly as he appeared, he was gone.

A quick visit at Honey Bee

I made a quick visit to Honey Bee this morning.....only 3 hours. I found HK at the Honey Bee entrance.

He stayed less than 10 minutes.

A juvenile eagle was located close by. There were a total of three in the area.

I waited at the nest for a couple of hours. HK flew in one time.

He did not stay long, and I could not relocate him this morning.

HK and a visitor cavorting

I tried very hard to find a band on this visiting Bald Eagle that HK spent the better half of the day cavorting with.  That's HK on the right. Band visible.

At the height of a torrential downpour, these two exhibited mating behavior in HK's nest tree, and I saw them do this twice.

The federal silver band is generally on the right foot (Sterling's is) but I could not find one. HK's double bands are clearly visible.

Even when the eagle landed I could not see any bands. That's HK on the right.

This may have been the same adult eagle I had seen previously and I heard today from another photographer that they had observed one also. The eagle stayed in nest tree for over 2 hours, in the rain.

HK made 4 stick deliveries, including this one from across the golf course fairway.

I had to leave but returned later this afternoon, but the mystery eagle was not relocated.