"WE ARE AS ONE"

Bald Eagles - 8 Photos

Yep, that time of the year has rolled around again.

No, I'm not talking about Christmas and the holiday period. :)  It's that time when eagles court & confirm their partnerships for hopefully another success of egg laying & rearing of chicks.

Having spotted an eagle in a tree, from a distance I thought that this was one extremely large eagle, particularly lengthwise. As I got close, I realized that it was not one eagle but two adult Bald Eagles, one directly behind the other. The second eagle was on a slightly lower branch, which gave the illusion of the extraordinary length. 

At first, there were only quick glimpses of the second eagle from behind his/her partner, so I concentrated on the eagle directly in front (Photo # 1). (The back view would have provided a better sighting of the second eagle but unfortunately, it was obscured by branches & shooting would have been directly into the sun.) Finally the second eagle began grooming and leaned out from the back (Photo #2). 

And then their vocalizations began. If you have never heard the courtship of two adult eagles, do a web search. It has to be one of the most endearing, if not unexpected sounds in Nature.

As always, it was too brief but Photo #3 to Photo #6 show the body language of the eagles as they exchange their "vows". I believe this to be a mature pair so for them it was a re-affirmation of their commitment to each other. The "pairing" ended with the departure of the first eagle (Photo #7 & Photo #8). 

So fingers crossed, come Spring another eagle nest will be full of new arrivals.

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3

PHOTO #4

PHOTO #5

PHOTO #6

PHOTO #7

PHOTO #8