Mike Powell

It won’t be long before the Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) begin to incubate their eggs at one of several nests of which I am aware at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The smallest nest was used for the first time last year and I was curious to see if the eagles would return to it. I was therefore quite happy to spot an eagle on Tuesday perched in that nest in what looks to be a sycamore tree. Usually eagles sit much lower in the nest when there are eggs present, so I suspect that this eagle was checking out the nest, possible as a prelude to renovating or enlarging it.

I was a pretty good distance away from the eagle and was partially hidden by vegetation and trying to be stealthy, but the eagle detected my presence. I captured the second image right after the eagle flew out of the nest. I managed to get only a single decent shot, because the eagle descended and was immediately hidden by the abundant branches—if the eagle had flown upwards I might have had a better chance of getting several clear shots.

Last year the authorities at the refuge eventually blocked the trail on which I was traveling to keep the eagles from being disturbed during the nesting season. I would not surprised to find the trail blocked the next time I visit the refuge. During the period of time before the trees begin to leaf out, I may still be able to keep track of the nest, albeit from a slightly greater distance from it.

© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.