Incubating

Did you know?

• Bald eagles generally mate for life (monogamous), unless something happens to the mate.

• Eagles perform a courtship display known as the cartwheel. They fly high in the sky together, lock talons and spin downward. Just as you think they are going to hit the ground they separate and fly up high again. I have witnessed this and it is a sight to see.

• Eagles typically build their nests in live trees, with dead trees (known as snags) nearby for perching. The nest is usually within a mile of a water source.

• The size of the nest is usually 4-6 feet in diameter, 3-4 feet high and 2-4 feet deep. One of the largest nests was one in Florida at 9.5 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep, weighing 3 tons.

• They often use the same nest year after year, making repairs each year.

• Eagles lay 1-3 eggs once a year (season). Typically 2 eggs.

• The incubation period is approximately 35 days and starts after the first egg is laid.

08 Feb

Incubating. Weather - Clear, 28 degrees, NE winds 3mph

ID - QA-052-02-08-21-7

10 Feb

Incubating. Weather - Cloudy, 36 degrees, SE winds 8mph

ID - QA-052-02-10-21-2

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14 Feb - Incubating. Weather - Cloudy, 34 degrees, N winds 8mph (after an ice storm)

ID - QA-052-02-14-21-2

20 Feb

Incubating. Mission notes: As I was taking pictures from a distance of approximately 1,323 feet two people walked by me along the Dividing Creek Trail. This trail runs along the base of the tree where the nest is. The adult was incubating, she then stood up and watched the people walk by. The picture reflects this. At one point she flew to one of the nearby branches and then flew back and continued incubating.

On a previous visit to the nest I spoke to a ranger who was in the area - he told me they have never blocked off the nest area. This pair have been successful over multiple years.

ID - QA-052-02-20-21-3