Where Eagles Dare
March winds are blowing over the Broward. The Crepe Myrtles are starting to bud, spring is here in Florida. Don’t you folks up North feel sorry for me. I have had to kick in the air conditioner already. Got some Eagle photos to share today should you dare to see them.
Per one on line source “Florida's bald eagle population in 2014 was 1,400 nesting pairs, up from about 667 nesting pairs in the early 1990s. Outside of Alaska, Florida has more nesting bald eagles than any other state in the nation.” On my recent outing the workshop leader took us to an American Bald Eagle nest close to a nearby church. Unfortunately, every time the eagles flew I was looking the wrong way and did not get the flight shots I was hoping for. Eagles in Florida seem to prefer tall pines for nest sites. If you have never seen one they can be enormous in size. Eagles pairs often return to the same nest year after year and just keep adding to it. I have seen nests that weigh over a ton. There used to be a nest about three miles from my home but it blew down in a storm a few years ago. Eagles are no longer considered endangered in Florida but they still are protected. During nesting season which runs from October to mid-May, there are restrictions on how close one can approach the nests. Building by humans is also restricted around known nesting sites which the birds re-use from year to year. This church wanted to expand its parking lot but the eagle’s nest site prohibited that. This particular nest had two recently hatched eaglets which could barely be seen poking their fuzzy heads up over the rim of the nest. One of the adult pair usually stands guard immediately over the nest while the other does the hunting for food. They share duties in the care and feeding of the young. This particular pair brought in fish and fowl to feed the young. Hope you enjoy this eagle visit as much as I did.
As I progress in my years I think more often of this passage in Isaiah..” But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
The Eagle has landed...American Bald Eagle takes it post..
An American Bald Eagle female standing vigil near the nest. Females are usually a bit larger than their male counterparts.
Florida Bald Eagle nest in a pine tree..two small fuzzy eaglet heads can barely be seen peeking up over the rim..
Bet we are having fish for breakfast lil brother..close up crop of newly hatched eaglets..
Hey...what ya want for breakfast...fish or fowl?
Both parents share in the care and feeding and protection of the eaglets.
Relieve the watch..one eagle relieves the other of the nest watch..the female is slightly larger than the male
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31