Hoping for babies

Posted on March 6, 2023 by dinajohnston

At the end of January I was still checking on the eagle nest in the neighborhood but still had not seen any sign of a baby with the exception of both adults on the nest most of the time. They are late compared to last year and all of the other nests around the area. I saw one of the parents bringing in food so I’m thinking the baby was still too small to see from here.

I had seen one kestrel a few days earlier but on another visit there were two sitting on the bat box. Looks like a couple. Last winter I only saw one and it was a female.

A few days later I caught him in the middle of eating a bug and then she flew in. He finished his bug and then they both took off.

A dove was watching from the tree behind me.

White ibis flying across the utility field before dark.

The sun was just starting to go down at the eagle’s nest.

All In the “eagle” Family

Posted on April 14, 2022 by dinajohnston

I stopped by the eagles nest in my neighborhood just after mid-February. The 2 babies were flapping their wings pretty hard. At this point the parents were just dropping off food and the babies were eating on their own. One of the parents had been sitting just above the nest and took off.

A few days later I came back and one of the parents was sitting near the nest and started yelling.

I then saw the other parent flying by but didin’t stop. I’m thinking this was the male. The female went after him, screaming along the way. Where was he going and where was breakfast (I’m assuming that’s what she was yelling)?

I saw them both land several towers down the field (that’s an osprey nest on the bottom left). They both sat up there for a while before taking off again.

The kids were like “Where are they going and where is our breakfast?” I waited about 45 minutes after that but still didn’t see the parents come back. One of them probably came back around lunchtime with a snack. At this point the babies still weren’t flying at all but flapping pretty hard.

More to come on the eagle family. I guess I should name them all at this point. Any suggestions?

Lots of the same at Chesnut Park

Posted on February 12, 2018 by dinajohnston

Lots of deer in early January.

Lots of squirrels but that bottom looks a little rough.

Lots of little birds but nothing new.

Red shoulder hawks hiding along the trails.

Eagles flying far away across the lake. Both an adult and a juvenile.

Found these two ducks at a quiet end of a pond. I’m thinking they are pets that got dumped here. Someone left food in a small plastic container. I just hope they know enough to stay away from the gators.

Big birds up high

Posted on January 19, 2017 by dinajohnston

Very young bald eagle soaring up high.

An adult eagle coming right over my head.

Across the marsh, I saw another eagle bringing a big branch back to the nest.

A great egret going by with a snack.

There’s always a lot of great blue herons flying around on Alligator Alley.

There’s been a great blue heron sitting on the nest for several weeks now. This must be the male taking his turn. Look at that grumpy face.

An osprey having a snack on the trail.

Typical Florida shots.

I started going back to Circle B Bar Reserve in early November for the winter. It’s too hot to walk the trails in the summer. There’s been lots of activity going on along the Alligator Alley trail this fall. It’s been so nice to get out for long walks again since the weather has cooled off. The reserve is fairly quiet and hasn’t been too busy so far.

All grown up.

Posted on March 26, 2015 by dinajohnston

It’s rare to see both parents sitting together on this nest.

The big baby was showing off his wings. The smaller baby stayed hidden behind the big trunk.

I guess he was practicing his pose.

At one point one of the parents moved over to the nest.

Then back over next to his mate.

I took a walk around the area and of course something happened.

From across the pond I could see a juvenile eagle trying to invade the nest. The parents were screaming at him and chased him away.

It could have been last year’s baby coming back for a visit but the parents didn’t want any part of it.

Things started to settle down so I headed home for lunch.

These were taken in early March.By now the babies are probably flying around and getting ready to leave. We had another great year with this nest. I’m sure the proud parents are ready to head back up north for the summer.

Baby eagles all grown up

Posted on April 17, 2013 by dinajohnston

A normal sight, the parent watching over the kids.

A view of both baby eagles on the nest.

The oldest perched on a big branch. Already looking regal.

Practicing his takeoff.

We have lift off!

He didn’t fly around the afternoon I stopped by in mid-march. He was flapping pretty hard but never officially took off while I was there. By now he’s probably flying pretty high. This was my last stop of the year. I’ll leave them to their soaring and check back next year. It’s great to see both are doing well. Maybe I’ll see them flying over a busy road soon.

Dina's Wildlife Adventures

Tag Archives: bald eagles