Bald Eagles, New Location, New Nest~

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slideshow presentation after    you have read the narratives~

I am joining in the fun with Eileen at:

Saturday's Critter

http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/

Anni at:

http://id-rather-b-birdin.blogspot.com/ 

I'd Rather Be Birdin'

 Linking to I'd Rather B Birdin' 

   

Angie at:  

Mosaic Monday

https://tentoesinthewater.blogspot.com/

 Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global 

   http://communalglobal.blogspot.ca/

& 

Stewart for:

Wild Bird Wednesday

http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

I located the Bald Eagle's nest the last week in December and I am thinking that the Bald Eagles had begun the process shortly after their nest tree fell last June.  They had been in a few different trees prior to that on the same property for 9 years.  I have followed them very closely for the past 4 1/2 years, this being my 5th season.  My heart soared like an Eagle when I located the nest, as I never though that I would get to see this pair again, let alone observe and photograph them.  Above is one of the pair that have a strong bond and have been together for at least 10 seasons, and maybe more prior to that.  Below is the nest as seen on December 27, 2018.  As a bird flies it is about a quarter mile from where it has been all of those years, and this is an area where they have hunted for their young in the past...an excellent choice for them.  It is "Private Property" and it is in full view of those of us who park along the lane, a good football field's size from the nest tree.  So long as no one ruins it for those of us who honor the "No Trespassing" rules and break them~  

It's a beautiful location and not so close to human activity as it had been for all these years past.  If the nest holds together...more about that as I share this summary, it shall be a most wonderful journey with them~

          

On the site of the Bald Eagle nest there are two bodies of water, and a flood plain that holds a lot of water for a few months out of the year.  As I had previously shared there were hundreds of birds, including Canada Geese, Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Mergansers, Mallards, Black Ducks, Teal Winged Ducks, Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, and Ring-billed Gulls to name a few.  Many still remain, but many others have flushed due to the presence of the Bald Eagles~

The Great Blue Herons would scratch and scrape at the ice, then walk in circles trying to warm the area to break through and snag a fish~

Please pay close attention to the center support of the nest.  This is where the Eagles perch, this is where copulation sessions took place among others, this is where they court one another and chatter back and forth.  That being said, I noticed right away that it is not part of the natural tree structure, but rather a large limb that had fallen down through the crotch of the standing tree one past storm~

There is a nice sized herd of White-tailed Deer on the property shared in a few images below.

 Wild Turkeys not shown as well as Coyotes and Red-Foxes not yet photographed run the land~ 

Unlike where the nests had been located before, it's really neat to be able to watch the Eagles hunt and then return to the nest and drop off to share with it's mate.  The area has a great source of wildlife as well as it is along the Ohio River and so a perfect spot for them to thrive and raise their young~

Several Bucks, some had lost their antlers, others remained, along with a few Does formed a nice little herd~

Also on the land of the Bald Eagle nest site there is a pair of Red-Shouldered Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, American Kestrels and a single visiting Northern Harrier~

Remember when I said to please pay close attention to the center support?
 Well can you see what happened, which may cause the nest to fail in the side by side before and after mosaic below?  
The entire center support beam and favored perch fell along with branches to the right of the nest.  The well of the nest can now be seen from the road, but we are all hopeful that it can hold...I am praying for that...it would be so very sad for the Eagles to have worked so hard to rebuild for months and to lay eggs and to lose it all.  My guess is that by February 2 an egg had already been laid as the pair had already begun brooding time when on that same day they had a few copulation sessions.  That being said, my guesstimate for a first hatch would be between March 15-20.  We shall hope for the best and I will be there along the way and share as I am able~

The male would go down near the nest tree to hunt, snag something to eat as well as bring up marsh grasses to help line the nest~

It's difficult sometimes to see what the Eagle has caught because along with those heavy talons, comes up the grasses and it's not always easy to see what they have captured

American Kestrel~

Cooper's Hawk~

Red-tailed Hawks~

 The pair soaring together~

A Winter visitor a Northern Harrier, a little bit out of my range, but exciting to see.  One of my favorite Raptors~

Gone fishing and missed this time~

This image was taken of me one cold morning on site.  I love going to visit, but can only make the drive a couple to three times a week.  I try and check the Accu-Weather extended forecast and choose days that are sunny, or at least not raining, which we have had huge rain totals last year and this year to date~