My visits to the Nith River bald eagles continue despite the ongoing heatwave(s) and the inconvenience of engaging with the mosquito population.
I recently bought a mosquito net to cover my head while out along the river. Never felt I needed one until this summer.
Still, I have caught mosquitoes trying to bite through my shirt and trousers. Some land in front of my face and get excited, it seems, when I bring the camera up to my eye since the net then comes closer to my face. Enough of the perils of wildlife photography though……
The two eaglets are mastering the art of flying. They seem quite comfortable getting from point A to point B and, on several occasions, have flown near me landing on bare trees. Then they will call out for food.
These two images were captured in the past couple of weeks.
The two adults make irregular visits to the area which is part of the parenting process. Independence will come with time and the adults, by their absence, are encouraging the eaglets to fend for themselves.
While I have yet to see either eaglet attempt to fish or hunt I have watched them studying the mink, muskrats and fish swimming in the river below. For now, they are learning to scavenge – as this next image reveals – while reliant upon the adults to bring them food.
After an adult dropped a fish in the nest, which was intended for both eaglets, one stole the catch and flew away.
Wednesday evening I had another interesting encounter with one of the eaglets. When I arrived I took a look at the trees where I have seen the two of them perch these past several weeks but didn’t see either of them. They are a very dark chocolate brown in colour and can remain fairly hidden – especially in shaded areas.
I walked along the river for a few minutes and then heard one calling out. Reversing my path I finally spotted it in a tree and moved about until I had a clear view with a decent background. I set my backpack on the ground and then, after snapping a few images of it calling out, I waited for something to happen.
The eaglet called out repeatedly and as time went on – and the light dimmed – his/her calls became more desperate. Then it was clear something had caught the eaglet’s attention and it took off flying a circle above me.
To my surprise it was the arrival of an adult eagle that caused the excitement. When it eventually landed on a low branch the eaglet followed crash-landing onto the same branch. The eaglet screamed continually and I could see blood.
For a while I wasn’t sure if the eaglet had injured itself as one wing was now draped over the branch. The screams continued while the adult remained there for a minute or two. Then I could see, through my camera lens, there was some prey in the eaglet’s talons. When the eaglet shielded the prey by stretching out its wings the adult took off.
My worries of the eaglet being injured were slightly eased when it flew back to the nest with the prey. I saw the adult fly upriver. The second eaglet was nowhere to be seen. Has it found a place to fish for itself? I shall check in on the eaglets again in coming days.
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All your stories about the Eagles have been so interesting, we have had many over years of Red Tail Hawks and there young, but never Bald Eagel yet they nest not far away from our farm, we have hopes they will eventually nests in out woods.. Mosquitos are a big nuance, but they are food for many birds., a Mosquito net was a good idea. Thanks again Paul for all the great blogs on the Bald Eagel and their young.
Hi Pat, I know of several bald eagle nests within 25 minutes drive of my home. All of them are located on or near water although, as my posts depict, they don’t always prefer fish for supper! As for the mosquitoes …yes they are a vital part of our ecology like other insects. There used to be a bat that literally hung on the wall of my apartment balcony. Bats eat their weight in mosquitoes every night. I never had mosquitoes around here while it was living here. I still wonder where it went! Thanks again for your comment!
Another great one, Paul. Thanks.
Thanks Brad. Hope you are getting out and about with your camera!
Thanks, Paul. Your posts are interesting. I get to experience the eaglets without the inconvenience of …and the battle with…..the ‘skeeters’. That’s your job and I’m thankful for your sacrifice 😁👍…..
Thank you for your efforts.
Cheers!
Hey Phil, great to hear from you. Yes, the mosquitoes are a bit of a nuisance but if you want to snap images of these eagles there are sacrifices to be made. Hope you are doing well!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences!
I am glad the eaglets are learning to master flight. I never realized how much of a process it was including all the crash landings and hold outs on branches.. Amazing that you have seen these steps over the years! Hope you get to witness some attempts at catching prey soon! Your article and photos in The Narwhale were really great. It is encouraging to hear that this pair are having such good results with raising their young!
Good luck fending off the mosquitos.
Thanks Mariah! Very pleased to hear you have taken the time to really appreciate the story of how these eagles mature and survive. I enjoy every moment and come away each time with something learned. cheers!
Went to the nest site this morning.
One eaglet sitting on branch by nest.( I believe the older nest- above eroded embankment were mink stold the kingfisher babies) It moved to the other side branch while we were there and called out several times which was pretty exciting , but no other action. Did catch a glimpse of the mink.
Did not see the second eaglet.
Mosquitos were pretty bad.
Makes me appreciate the time and perseverance to get those wonderful action shots even more!
It has been a week or more since I have seen both eaglets at either of those nests. I know where the other one goes. The other night there was just the one eaglet sitting in the nest in which she was born – screaming loudly. The adult male was perched in a tree on the same side of the river. He kept looking up at the young one. After an hour the eaglet finally flew down to the same tree the adult was perched in which prompted the adult to fly to another tree closer to the park, moments later. I left then as the sun was almost down. I expect this eaglet will eventually figure things out and try to fend for herself. And yes, I think this is indeed a female because she is bigger than the adult. Interesting times, eh?
We often see the adult male fly down the river in our backyard . So this is very interesting and cool to see these pictures and stories of them !
Hi Kelsey, thanks for your note. I am giving a photo presentation on these eagles at the Ayr Public Library September 17. You might be interested!?!?! Hurry to register if so….there were only 3 seats remaining when I checked earlier today. Cheers!
Thanks for an excellent presentation tonight in Ayr. Wonderful photos and insights!
Thank you Anne! I am glad you enjoyed it. I hope to return to Ayr for future presentations. Lots of nature lovers there!