Private Photo Session With HK: January 5, 2015

A late afternoon encounter with a neighbor walking her dog in the subdivision adjacent to Honey Bee began this amazing experience with HK.  We walked together down a cart path on the golf course to her home. She was very familiar with my Honey Beeagles Facebook page and told me she had many Eagles perch in her yard over the years. She pointed to a tree and explained that the Eagles hadn't been for about a week. We looked up and there he was! Perched about 25 yards away, in the gold of a setting sun, was handsome HK! I only managed a few photos before he flew to another nearby tree, but I left him there. The lady asked that the location not be disclosed.

HK, Sterling, and a Squirrel for lunch. January 4, 2015.

HK and Sterling flew into my vicinity about 12:45pm. He had already been in the Osprey nest earlier. They flew in together, but Sterling landed in the nearby cell tower and HK came to the Osprey nest with a fresh squirrel. 

Sterling came to the Osprey nest in about 2 minutes and HK graciously gave her the meal. 

It took about 45 minutes for her to finish, then she allowed him some leftovers. He hopped around a bit. HK on the right. Sterling in the Osprey nest.

HK on left.

They traded places. Sterling now on the right.

He took off, picked up a pine branch and headed for his own nest.

I found him there but was unable to relocate her. 

  He left soon after and I headed for home, exhilarated by the experience.

December 19, 2014

I got an early start and arrived at Honey Bee about 8AM. But, I could not find any eagles! So, I left and grabbed a 7-11 coffee. I went and sat under the nest and HK was there! He moved some sticks around and took off.

He did return again with a long branch and deposited it in the rear of the nest. He worked for about three minutes and left through the back. No photos. He did not return.
I was not able to relocate any eagles so I left for a while to look for raptors in another location.
When I returned, I was with my friend, Jane. Right away, we saw an eagle in a cypress tree vocalizing. A second eagle landed next to this one: HK (left) and Sterling looking regal.

They flew down the river and landed together in the Osprey nest, so Jane and I drove over there. That's Sterling in the nest and HK beside her.

HK eventually left the tower, gave us a beautiful flyover, and disappeared.

We drove to the nest, hoping to see him there, but no one was at home. So, we called it a day.

December 18, 2014

Just a quick trip out to Honey Bee to try some different camera settings. Fortunately, HK was perched beautifully in a cypress tree in fading light.

HK and Sterling, December 17, 2014

I got an early start today and located an eagle right away in the Osprey nest. It was HK at 9:00AM.

He flew just about 30 yards to a tree directly across from me (and in line with the sun) about 10 minures later.

Sterling showed up.

So, HK flew to be close to her.

They traded places, but not too cozy.

Then separated a bit.

Sterling took off (I missed that) followed by HK who gave an beautiful flyby.

I returned a couple of hours later and again located HK in the Osprey nest. He started vocalizing.

And flew again, with an even more awesome flyover.

And it became clear why he left. A rendezvous with Sterling was in the making! But, not a public one.