It won’t be long before it is nesting season at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge for Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). I know of two nests that have been used the past few years. One of them is close to a trail that the refuge authorities block off when nesting is taking place. The other, pictured below, is high in a tree that is visible in the distance from a trail but is inaccessible to human traffic.
You can’t help but notice how large this nest is, especially when you compare it with the size of the bald eagle that I managed to photograph early one morning last week. Every year the eagles add on to the nest and now it is so deep that I am unable to see the eagles when they are sitting in the nest.
I will be keeping an eye on the eagle nest in the upcoming months and will be sure to give a progress report if/when I see additional activity.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
They do nice work. I hope the nest is successful.
Wow, that is a huge nest. I was astonished yesterday when I looked out the kitchen window and saw a bald eagle cruise by just above the trees in the back yard. They reintroduced a few pairs along the CT river about 25 miles from here many years ago and the offspring are slowly expanding by following the watershed. I’ve seen one in our village only three times. Always a thrill!
It is so cool to hear that you too have eagles nearby. We are blessed to have quite a few along the Potomac River and I am fortunate enough to see eagles pretty regularly. That being said, it is always a thrill to spot one.
Love this big nest photo with the bonus of an eagle on the far branch as well, spectacular!
Thanks, Liz. The eagle helps to give a sense of scale. I never turn down a chance to get a shot of an eagle, so in come ways it was the nest that was the bonus.