Bald Eagle – Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Since mid spring, I’ve been watching a successful Bald Eagle nest not much more than a stone’s throw from where we live here on the peninsula south of Bath. The nest is some 40 feet off the ground and it’s impossible to see inside. I knew there were chicks in the nest, because the adults brought food on a regular basis, and I could hear the chicks calling when the adults were not around.
While taking a break from my studies this weekend, I finally got to see the young, pre-flight Bald Eagles. Just before sunrise Saturday morning, I set up my tripod and camera and waited. I could see wings flapping in the nest, and I heard a few calls, but nothing worth photographing. Finally, after an hour or so wait, one of the juvies hopped out of the nest onto a branch. Lovingly named Butchie and his other brother Butchie by Robin Robinson over at The Back Story – My Controlled Chaos, I expect them to take their first flight any day now. Many thanks Robin, for giving me the heads up on the nest! I can only hope I will be nearby when they take their first flight.
The young Eagles were very cooperative for nearly an hour. I filled a 16gb CF card with many photos and videos of the pair; capturing preening, head and chin scratching, yawning and several wing stretches. While I enjoyed the Eagles, plenty of other birds were on the move. Cedar Waxwings and Red-winged Blackbirds were everywhere, the forest floor seemed alive with Chipping Sparrows, and I caught a brief glimpse of a Black-crowned Night Heron in flight. All and all, it was a great morning to enjoy Mother Nature!
Some of the following images are tall. Tap your f11 key to open your browser to its fullest size before viewing. Simply click a thumbnail for a full-sized view.
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- Juvenile Bald Eagles
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- Juvenile Bald Eagles
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- Juvenile Bald Eagle
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- Juvenile Bald Eagle in nest
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- Juvenile Bald Eagle with wings stretched
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- Juvenile Bald Eagle
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- Juvenile Bald Eagle
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- Juvenile Bald Eagle on nest
Dimension: 560×480 | Video bit rate: 1000Kbps | File Size: 24.6mb
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Video: Juvenile Bald Eagles | ©2010 John Briggs Photography
Watch in full-sized HD at YouTube by clicking video screen after playback begins.
Happy birding!
{ 13 comments }
Beautiful captures John! It sounds like you really enjoyed your study break (you know you have to take the breaks to remain sane. You can only learn for so many hours a day)
My favorite shot is the photo of the juvie jumping fro the nest to the branch with its wings stretched out. I must have been fun watching them.
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Thank you, John for your graciousness. I'll tell you again when I see something groovey in the trees. Have to told you about the California Condor on Center Pond? Ha! Gotcha there for a second, didn't I????
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Best study break ever.
I hope you get to see their first flight, so we’ll get to see the photos. 
Beautiful birds and a lovely blue sky behind them – what more could anyone want! Your photos are great.
A comprehensive series of shots John and it's always nice with a video bonus. I didn't realise the chicks would be so dark
it would be nice to have an eagles nest close by. But…in Sweden they are endangered and even if there is a nest, its kept a secret for people. We will never know where it is. It is only possible to see adults flying.
So, it is nice to see yours.
My recent post Ladusvala – Hirundo rustica – Barn swallow
I had watched the webcam from the Norfolk Botanical Garden of bald eagles–from chicks to fledglings. Your photos are a great reminder. Thanks.
Hey – I have followed you on Twitter and when things get the craziest I always can count on your blog to refocus me! Thanks for being the elixir to stress relief! Your photos are magnificent!
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I love raptors. Thanks for sharing your lovelies!
I totally agree with the best study break! Wonderful pictures.
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Great stuff !
My recent post Flying Jewel
Howdee John..
You must be having a busy summer..not many posts..Have you been studying?
Anyway..This was an awesome post, I enjoyed all the photos and the video..How cool.
Going to get a BwBTC outing together end of August. Not sure where yet..but prob. CT,RI or MA.
let me know if you are interested.
Great photos. It amazes me how the juveniles already have that intimidating stare! We have a couple eagles flying around here but I think their nest is across the river.
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