My oldest son reported seeing 2 eagles on the nest. Needless to say, I left within minutes.
One eagle kept its head down in the top of the nest. The one on the left faced the other direction, which put its tail towards me. The head on the one would come up for a short time and then go back down. I had no idea what it was doing.
Then they just sat there. This was 2 in the afternoon.
This last picture was taken a little closer to the nest.
I watched them for 10 minutes and took the above picture when going to turn around.
Something apparently happened to the young last year, because they quit nesting activities. I do so hope this year’s nesting is successful.
This visit was on January 21.
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1-30-13
The major cold front crossing the country came through our side of southern Illinois Tuesday night after 10 p.m. I had just finished my breakfast the next morning and had a sudden thought, ”the eagle nest.” Did it survive the storm? It wasn’t long before Buffy and I were on our way to check.
The nest could be seen from the highway. What a relief! The huge tree lost a trunk a few years ago. I figured it wasn’t as balanced and strong as it should be, and that 70 mph winds could do damage.
I parked back at my usual spot near a substation so I, hopefully, wouldn’t pressure the eagles. The white head in the nest — I knew all was OK. After taking a few pictures, I drove on to turn around. And there across the road, in a tree sat …
the other eagle! That’s how you can tell you’re having a good day!
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I now wonder if the one in the nest was incubating eggs, and the other one was standing guard. As you can see in the pictures in the top of this blog, how the one kept its head bent down. This went on for over 5 minutes. Maybe she was laying eggs.
Posted by Vicki on February 1, 2013 at 9:57 am
great set of photos
I’ve never seen an eagle in a nest.. it will be fun and exciting for you if they have little ones.
Posted by naturesnippets on February 1, 2013 at 11:07 am
I have my fingers crossed. The last time I saw them last year in the nest, one was feeding them, was tearing and feeding small pieces.
Posted by petspeopleandlife on February 1, 2013 at 10:18 am
So glad that the eagele nest survived. I had read that they begin nesting rather early. I hope they can rear young this year so that you can take a bunch of pics. That nest is sre out in the open.
Posted by naturesnippets on February 1, 2013 at 11:09 am
I’ll go once a week to check on them. I’m glad they are nesting where I can take pictures. On the other hand, they’re in the open and get too much attention. That’s why I stay back and don’t go often.
Posted by orbphotog on February 2, 2013 at 11:50 pm
Looks like a very strong and warm nest for the nestlings. Wonderful photos!
Posted by naturesnippets on February 3, 2013 at 7:02 am
Thanks. Eagles used to be rare around here. I’m glad that’s changing, for obvious reasons.
Posted by bayphotosbydonna on February 3, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Lovely shots of the eagles in the nest with the blue sky background. In your last nest shot on 1/30 with the eagle sitting low in the nest, it appears she is incubating some eggs, and makes sense to find daddy close by up in the trees and area to stand guard. Keep us updated, I’ll love reading your weekly posts on this nest activity. Fingers crosses for a successful season!
Posted by naturesnippets on February 3, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Thanks for crossing your fingers. I plan to go weekly. They get way to much attention with where their nest is.
Posted by caleephotography on February 4, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Great shots!! They seem to be quite high up in the trees, let’s hope they won’t be disturbed too much
Posted by naturesnippets on February 4, 2013 at 1:25 pm
I’ve seen a lot of people stop to watch them. They seem used to it. I just picture eagles in remote pristine areas.
Posted by Fossillady on February 7, 2013 at 4:29 pm
You were definitely having a good day! I hope all is well with your eagle friends!
Posted by naturesnippets on February 7, 2013 at 8:37 pm
You reminded me it’s time to check on them again. I always feel so excited and so grateful everytime I see them.