Documenting the Diversity of Dallas/Fort Worth Urban Wildlife Since 2005
Bald Eagle – Tower Nest Update 11
NOTE: This post is part of a continuing series of observations: [ First | << Prev | Next >> ]
This week’s Bald Eagle nest update includes a brief appearance by the male, when he delivers lunch in the form of a fish in his talons. Also of note this week is the size of the eaglets. They are very nearly the same size as the adults now, and their flight feathers are nearly grown. They will be fledging soon.
When I arrived, I had my best look at the eaglets in some time. They are huge!Mom was at the top of the adjacent tower keeping an eye on things……and looking magnificent!Amazingly, the eaglets can still disappear from sight when they want to.Here the female eagle puts everything she has into belting out a call. It seems that from time to time she gets impatient with her mate and the time it takes him to return to the nest with food.Here he comes now!Its hard to tell from this photograph, but that is a fish he is carrying in his talons.Now you can see the distinct fish-shape of what the males is carrying. After reviewing several photographs, it appears that what the male has brought back is only the uneaten tail-end of this fish.The female soon joins the male.She stays only briefly, and then circles the tower several times on her way back up to the top.A closer look at the last photograph.She has the altitude now, and will soon turn to make her landing approach.Coming in for a landing.Back at the nest, this picture is the best I was able to get in terms of allowing a comparison between the size of the adult male and the eaglets. They are very nearly the same size now!The male has left now, and both eaglets make an appearance as they watch him go.I was excited to see one of the eaglets exercising his wings. This baby bird is getting big fast, and his flight feathers are nearly in! Next week should hold some interesting developments!
NOTE: This post is part of a continuing series of observations: [ First | << Prev | Next >> ]