On Friday morning, the temperature was only 38 degrees F (3 degrees C), so I abandoned my macro lens, assuming that insects would not be active, and switched back to my telephoto zoom lens. I returned to my favorite location, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge (OBNWR), to look for birds. This location is relatively remote and has few amenities, which means that it is rarely crowded—there have been times in the past when my car was the only one in the parking lot. Unlike many parks in our area, OBNWR remains open and it has become my place of refuge.
It has been almost a month or so since my last visit, so I was not sure which birds would be active. As you may have seen in yesterday’s posting, some warblers are now passing through our area. While it is nice to welcome these colorful visitors, I was perhaps even happier to spot some of my favorite year-round residents, the Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). There are at least two active eagle nests in the refuge and one of the volunteers there told me that there is already an eaglet in one of the nests.
I captured these two images not far from the nest with the eaglet, so it is quite possible that at least one of these eagles is a parent. The early morning sunshine was quite beautiful and I love the way that it illuminated the side of the eagle’s face in the first image. The second image gives you an idea of the amount of leaves now on the trees, which makes it difficult to spot birds, especially the smaller ones. Fortunately the white coloration of the bald eagles and ospreys and their large size makes it hard for them to hide completely.
It is reassuring to see that the cycle of life is continuing normally in nature even when our lives have been completely disrupted and most of us are confined and/or in isolation.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nice Mike! Always fun to see Eagle images!
It is grand to see life moving right along in spite of the current issues. We watched crows harassing an eagle yesterday here in our most beautiful Shenandoah Valley.
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I am always amazed when I see smaller birds like crows and Red-winged Blackbirds harassing much bigger birds like eagles. It seems like it would be a dangerous undertaking, but I have never seen an eagle attack one of the smaller birds harassing it.
I’ve often thought the same thing. Around our cabin, crows, blackbirds, and many smaller birds too, will cooperate to discourage an eagle, a hawk, and last summer, even a merlin from getting too close to their young for comfort.
When it comes to protecting young, I can understand the behavior of the smaller birds, but sometimes they will go to great lengths, flying high in the sky as they try to chase off eagles. I have wondered sometimes if it is sense of territoriality that motivates them as well.
I am so glad you have been able to visit your favorite park, Mike. What an exciting find to see the eagle and hear about the eaglet. Your two photos here are very lovely. And now I’m off to see your warblers….
Beautiful images, Mike. Interesting to see how leafy these trees are becoming. Our NWR, Loxahatchee, is one of the only natural areas open now, too, and has become a favorite place for many – lots of acres of open space and freshwater marshes, so it’s still easy to be physically distant from others.
Magnificent signs of spring. Thanks Mike.
Regal.
Wonderful photographs of the noble Eagle. Gazing at the enlarged photos it is easy to see why since ancient times the eagle has been considered a sign of strength. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!
Thanks, Ellen. I never fail to be excited whenever I see a bald eagle. It is partly the majesty and strength of the bird itself and partly because of the symbolism that we attach to it as Americans. I served 20 years in the US Army and a sense of patriotism runs through me.
Such broad shoulders!