I am now keeping an eye on two Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nests at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. As far as I can tell, the eagles are not yet sitting on eggs and are still in the process of repairing and preparing the nests. Despite this increased activity, catching the eagles at the nest is very much a hit-or-miss proposition.
One of the nests is a very large one that I have featured multiple times in this blog, most recently in a posting on 18 January entitled Eagles in the sunlight. This past Monday, both members of the eagle couple were working on the nest and I was thrilled to capture some shots of them. I generally had to wait for them to take a break in order to get a clear shot—when their heads are buried in the branches making adjustments, their bodies more or less disappear from view.
The nest is big enough that the two eagles can both work on it at the same time. Female eagles tend to be larger than males and I think the eagle in the first image is the female. She seemed to be doing most of the work on the nest, while the other eagle, pictured in the second and third shots, periodically flew away and seemed to come back with additional small branches.
I was trying to capture a shot of both of them in a single frame when I snapped the final photo. The eagle on the left started to take off and I shifted my camera slightly and almost cut the second eagle out of the frame. I thought about cropping the second eagle out, but decided I liked the wider view of the nest provided by leaving the eagle in place. As always, I encourage you to click on the images to get a closer look at the eagles and their enormous nest.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
They do make massive nests. Nice that you can visit it often. Did you see this on Facebook…or elsewhere?
Nice Mike! Always fun to see your Eagle images!
Nice shots of this impressive nest, both eagles did a great job so far. The nest Steve showed us here above in unbelieveble .:-0
You know I have a fondness for home improvement projects, Mike. Watching these guys is certainly interesting.
I am fascinated by architects in the natural world, whether they be spiders, birds, or animals like beavers and muskrats.
Intriguing that they are working on two nests – intuition and compulsion in charge – really enjoy your eagle posts, your enthusiasm is contagious.
Thanks, Jazz. My postings tend to reflect my personality, and, yes, I tend to be quite energetic. I am pretty sure that it is two separate eagle couples that are working on the different nests. Over the last few years, there have been eaglets each year in both of the nests (from one to three, I believe).
Love these shots. The eagles are hard workers. The nest has to be just right!
Thanks, Chris. The are amazing architects. The trees tend to flew a bit when the wind is blowing hard, so the nest has to be pretty sturdy.
Wow! On that largest one.
Excellent captures, Mike! In addition to the majesty of the Eagles it’s interesting to see the details of the sticks that make up the nests. And as always the nest size is just impressive.
I think that it has taken years for this nest to get so big. I love seeing the details of the the sticks as well, reminding me of the handiwork of a skilled basket weaver.
I expect the Eagles feel the need to add a little even if the nest is big enough. Maybe a bit of boredom or just instinct. It would be neat to see a young pair start from scratch, how they get the whole thing going.
I’ll be posting some photos in the next day or two of the other nest at “my” refuge that is much smaller. It has always been small and then this past summer, it looks like one of the supporting branches broke off and dumped a large part of the nest on the ground. The couple seems to be trying to rebuild it and the eagle carrying the large branch that I featured a few days ago was bringing it to the smaller nest.
Wonder if they know your scent now and allow these photo sessions calmly? Or do you think they just know you by sight – those eagle eyes? So much fun to follow their progress on rest building and repairs, along with chick raising with you doing all the leg and eye work for us! LOL Thanks!
[…] have actively used both nests in each of the years that I have been visited this refuge.In that earlier posting, I provided a look at one of them, a really large […]