Post for December 2, 2013

A short observation time today. Thank goodness there are so many folks interested in documenting HK's life now! I don't feel like I have to be out there all day, everyday. I heard that HK was up and about early and got a fish midday. I heard there are many more fish eating birds on the North Landing River. This would indicate to me that fishing is good! There were also reports of people fishing!
I checked a few places around the area where I had observed eagles but saw nothing. But then, as I headed down S. Independence Blvd., I could plainly see an eagle perched in a tower at the entrance to Honey Bee Golf Course.

As I drove into the parking lot, I saw 3 more photographers there, snapping away. And why not? The eagle was in beautiful light!

 The other photographers said the eagle had been there about 45 minutes already. So, it was no surprise that it left shortly after my arrival. After the take off, we were able to determine by the bands that it was HK.  Such an amazing experience being with eagle lovers and their big guns!

After HK flew, I tried to locate him again. I drove to the school where he's been seen before and arrived just in time to see him take off and land in a tree back towards S. Independence Blvd. again.

Then, I headed home.

HK on the North Landing River. December 1, 2013.

It's hard to believe but it has been 2 whole years since I first saw HK behind the clubhouse at Honey Bee Golf Club. I am looking through my photo archives to find a then and now comparison.
I went out late this afternoon to take a short walk in the sunshine and hopefully encounter HK. There were plenty of birds out and since the trees have now lost most of their leaves, eagle spotting should be somewhat easier. Indeed,  I counted 9 Great Blue Herons perched in the trees on the North Landing River. They are among my favorite birds and I am always happy to see them.

As I turned to retrace my steps, I did catch a glimpse of an eagle. Well, hello there, HK!

He promptly settled into a tree across the water from me.

After 10 minutes he flew about 50 yards down the river and perched on a rather thin branch of another tree. He seemed to just enjoy the quiet and the setting sun. I know I did. The entire encounter lasted about 20 minutes.

Observations on November 30, 2013

I was finally able to get out to Honey Bee today after a very busy Thanksgiving holiday. As I headed up S. Independence Blvd., HK was clearly visible in the Osprey nest.

Several cars were parked off road, so I knew I'd have company watching him. I found out from the other photographers that HK and his banded girlfriend had been very active all day. They had been fishing, flying, gathering nesting material, and making trips to HK's nest. But now, near the end of the day, it was just HK. That was just fine with me!

  

He sat in the Osprey nest for a time. Another mature eagle was visible in another tower, probably 1/2 mile away. So, eventually HK left and flew down the road to a cell tower, perhaps to get a better look.

And that's where I left him at 4:08pm.

HK Observations 11.26.13

Observation time: 10:02am - 1:13pm
HK was tree hopping at first, then he flew to the Osprey Nest, where I was parked.

He landed in the Osprey nest and was mobbed by a bunch of crows.

HK hopped to the side of the tower and remained there for a good while; looking around, preening, and scratching.

He took off and I lost track for a while. I drove around to a few places I'd seen him before and decided to call it a day. But, lo and behold, I spotted him again in the tower at the entrance to Honey Bee Golf Club. I was able to park practically underneath him. And....left him there under the watchful eye of my friend,  Jim Yanello.

HK Observations from November 23, 2013

I got out to Honey Bee Golf Club very late (for me). I arrived about 4pm with what sun there was disappearing very fast. I quickly found an eagle sitting in a cypress tree across the North Landing River from the clubhouse. I couldn't really be sure what eagle it was, but HK does have a history of perching there. I walked around the clubhouse area, and spoke to a very nice employee who gave me permission to cross the bridge to get closer. I said, thanks but no thanks. However, I did ask if I could walk elsewhere on the course at that time and he gave me permission to do so.

Eagle on Cypress Tree

Just then the eagle flew in our direction, but I wasn't quite ready to shoot. Darn! But, I thought it landed close by, so I took a walk.  I was amazed how easy it was to spot! It had landed in a group of pine trees. But,  it was sitting pretty much in the open but partially obscured by some pine needles.
I snapped a picture for documentation.

Eagle partially obscured in Pine Tree on golf course.

 

 

 

 

I slowly continued walking, took about 6 more shots, and started retracing my steps so as not to make it change its behavior. 

Eagle perched in Pine Tree

But, it flew anyway. And landed in the Osprey nest on S. Independence. However, I got enough of it in flight to determine it was HK.
By the time I returned back to my car, HK had left the Osprey nest, hopefully to spend some quality evening time with a lady friend.
Thank you, HK for the photo op. And thank you, Honey Bee Golf Club, for letting me walk part of the course.