There was a lot of activity on Tuesday at the large Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nest at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. I still cannot determine if any eaglets have hatched, but several times I observed an eagle fly into the nest or fly out of it. The nest is so deep that an eagle is often hidden from view when sitting on an egg—the only way to know for sure that an eagle is present is when one of them arrives or departs.
The eagle in the first photo was arriving and had spread its wings to slow down its speed and forward momentum. In the second photo, an eagle that was in nest had popped its head up and was looking towards a nearby tree where its mate was perched. After the eagle had reassured itself that everything was ready, the two eagles executed a changing of the guard ceremony—the eagle in the nest flew away and the perched eagle took its place. I captured the third image just as the eagle was taking off from its perch to take its turn watching over the nest.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I like the eagle’s stance in that third picture. Did you consider, or would you consider, removing the part of the branch that “touches” the eagle?
I wasn’t bothered by that little branch, but it would be really easy to get rid of it. I assume that you found it distracting? I did a quick edit to the photo. What do you think?
I prefer the eagle now that you’ve freed it from the branch.
Fantastic series, Mike and great observation of ‘the changing of the guard’.
I always love your eagle shots, Mike! These are truly majestic!
Nice Mike! Great Eagle images!
Coming and Going indeed!