Coffee on the run with HK: January 21, 2015

I was out and about at Honey Bee early this morning. So was HK! I found him in the nest tree. He seemed to be looking for someone.

I found him on the Osprey nest tower. Still looking for someone.

When he flew from the tower, I drove around for a bit and observed this juvenile Eagle perched in the woods.

Eventually, I found HK in a tree on the golf course. He was finishing up breakfast.

He flew again but eventually reappeared carrying soft nesting material.

He took this to the nest tree and performed some nestorations. He seems to be admiring his work.

HK hopped out onto a branch....still looking.

And flew to another tower, still waiting for company it seemed. No other Eagles showed; at least not on my watch.

A Ray of Sunshine: Sterling and HK, January 18, 2015

After a miserable day of pouring rain, the sun came out and I jumped in the car and sped to Honey Bee. I could see a Bald Eagle on the cell tower as I drove down Salem Road. The cell tower is located in a condo complex. Sterling likes to perch there. And no surprise, it was Sterling.

When no one showed up to feed her or keep her company after about 30 minutes, she left.

So, I drove around for a bit, trying to locate either her or HK.  I saw a Red-tailed Hawk perched close to the nest, but no eagles. I decided to call it a day and drove down S. Independence Blvd. There was HK, perched once again in a tree by the practice green at Honey Bee.

He gave me a great photo op for about 30 minutes, and then I decided to leave as the light was fading fast. Of course, as soon as my back was turned, he decided to lift off. But I caught him as he flew off into the night.

HK and Sterling. January 16, 2015

The day began with a flyover by a new, unbanded, Bald Eagle. 9:35AM.

This flyover brought up another eagle. It flew towards HK's nest. So, I drove over there and sure enough. HK was in the nest.

Then, another Eagle glided silently into the tree. It was Sterling.

She hopped into the nest with HK and they both were out of sight for about 2 minutes. There was a little squawking and wing flapping. I wish I could see what was happening, but no.
As I grabbed my video camera, they both left the tree and hopped out onto an adjacent branch.
I got back to my regular camera and caught HK and Sterling on the branch together. HK on right.

HK was eating a fish.

Sterling moved around a bit and I took a couple dozen shots. She is one big, gorgeous Bald Eagle!

HK finished up and gave me this sweet pose.

He left, and came back with a big stick. Sterling went higher in the tree, out of my sight. HK left and came back again. He did some more arranging.

I missed Sterling's departure and HK left by the back of the nest. But he gave me a nice flyby as he went to meet Sterling, hopefully!

The whole, wonderful encounter only lasted 52 minutes.

HK and Sterling. January 15, 2015

I did not get to Honey Bee until late in the afternoon. At first, no Bald Eagles were visible. I sat in the golf course parking lot checking my messages and when I turned around to check the communication towers,  there was an Eagle in the one directly behind me.

I was unsure who this was, but determined when I reviewed the photos later, that it was Sterling.

She left abruptly. So, I drove around a bit and checked the nest. HK was there.

After HK flew, I walked out on the fairway, as the course was now closed. The nest from that angle is very impressive!

I decided to call it a day, but as I was driving down S. Independence, I spotted an Eagle perched in a tree by the clubhouse. HK again.

Then, HK flew down the river.

He didn't go far. He landed in a cypress tree beside a Great Blue Heron buddy. Good night, guys!

Another Cold Day for HK: January 13, 2015

Another cold and dreary day here in Virginia Beach.  I think we have had more cloudy days this year than sunny ones. Seeing a Bald Eagle always lifts my soul though, so I went in search of one.
I found HK right away on the Osprey tower. He did not stay long!

But, he did perform a double flyover!

He disappeared for a while but I relocated him later on the 5th fairway of the golf course (which was closed).

He flew from pine tree to pine tree.

I lost him again and decided to call it a day. But, I stopped by the nest tree one last time, and there he was!