For the last six weeks or so, I have been monitoring two Bald Eagle couples (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge as they have repaired and renovated two different nests. On Saturday morning I made my way to one of them and was delighted to see an eagle sitting low in the nest. I cannot be completely certain, but I think that the eagle is sitting on one or more eggs. If true, the eaglets should hatch in about 35 days or so.
This relatively small nest was damaged last summer when it looks like one of the supporting branches broke off and half of the nest fell to the ground. I observed some of the reconstructions efforts and documented it in an early February posting called Rebuilding the nest. It looks to me like the nest has grown considerably in size since that time.
This nest is located in a sycamore tree just off one of the major trails at the wildlife refuge. Each year the authorities block off all of the nearby roads to allow the eagles to nest in peace. The final photo shows the tree in which the nest is located and the current barrier across the trail from which I took the first photo. A telephoto lens tends to compress distances, so it is hard to judge exactly how far away the tree is from the barrier—I estimate that it is about a hundred yards (91 meters).
I will continue to keep an eye on this nest and hopefully will manage to get a glimpse of some eaglets in the upcoming months. Last year I believe that there was only a single eaglet (check out my May 2020 posting entitled One little eaglet), although in past years there were often two eaglets (check out this April 2018 posting called Baby bald eagles for a look at two adorable little eaglets).
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
It’s a good thing that they closes the track 🙂
It definitely is a good thing and I don’t have a single complaint about having to keep my distance. Not so very long ago, bald eagles were on the endangered species list in the US. They have recovered somewhat and are no longer on the list, but they are still federally protected. A number of years ago, I was present when an injured bald eagle was rescued and captured some photos of the encounter (https://michaelqpowell.com/2014/11/04/rescue-of-an-injured-bald-eagle/). Unfortunately the eagle’s injuries were so severe it had to be euthanized. I still remember the almost religious feeling of reverence when I saw the injured eagle at close range. Yes, I am all for protecting these wonderful creatures.
I wish the happy couple success.
Looking forward to more – your photography takes me closer to eagles than anything prior. Thanks!
I am blessed to live in an area where bald eagles are relatively common. It is always a thrill for me to see one and I love sharing my shots of them with others.