"PARTNERS FOR & IN LIFE"

Bald Eagle (Adults) - 7 Photos

For the few times I have seen this pair together, they appear to interact, for lack of a better term, like an old married couple. They are mates for life but like all couples, they have their moments.

Once after the young eagles had just fledged, the female spent over four hours on one of her favourite branch perches, just chilling out and grooming. This particular perch was too far for the fledglings to travel at the time, but close enough for her viewing the nest.

It wasn't until late afternoon that her partner arrived, landed on the branch just next to her and began to have a conversation. Of course, I don't know what was said but after a few preliminaries, Mrs. reached over and hit Mr. in the chest feathers hard with her beak, definitely not a gesture of endearment. And then he flew off either to the nest or to pursue fishing opportunities. Someone obviously needed some alone time.

The day the following photos were taken, Mrs. was in the tree next to the river, normally where Mr. likes to perch & watch for fish. In fact, from a distance, I thought at first, this was the male but I was mistaken. And then the eagle flew from her original perch upwards to a branch just above (Photo #1). 

It was at least an hour and a half before the second adult flew in (Photo #2 & Photo #3) and landed on the branch just above her second perch and was definitely the male. There was another conversation, this time just chatter (Photo #4 & Photo #5) & then eventually, Mr. flew off (Photo #6 & Photo #7). A few minutes later, Mrs. followed him upriver, presumably to fish.

Partners in life & partners for life. 

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3

PHOTO #4

PHOTO #5

PHOTO #6

PHOTO #7