Eagle Sightings of the Past Month on Lake O' the Pines

It's a good problem to have, really. . . so many eagle photos from the past month that it's hard to choose what to post. I'm realizing this while going through the time-consuming process of culling and sorting, so I'll grab a few of the better ones for this update, and just roll with it.   

The good news is that the nest on Watts Island is intact and actually in an even better position for viewing.  The high water levels of the past few months have caused more erosion, and several of the tall pines have fallen from all the stress, but a few weeks ago we were happy to see two mature birds - the parents, we suspect - close to the nest one evening. 

Another day, in an old dead snag adjacent to the nest and across the channel at Johnson's Creek, we saw an immature eagle that looked to be first year.  As we approached, he/she flew and landed in another dead tree, where a more mature bird sat in the top.  (Kind of reminded me of hanging out with upper classmen.)  The older bird had the telltale beginnings of a white head, which would indicate that she/he has more years than the other, with its mottled brown coloration and no sign of white on the head.  As those feathers on both the head and tail come in they almost look dirty, but ultimately transition to that blazing white that is just so distinctive.  

On days when I've been able to walk in Lakeside Park, now closed to anything but foot, bike or kayak traffic, I've had multiple sightings of both mature and immature eagles, as well as lots of other birds.  I'd been saying that the dead pine tree where we would so often see eagles was no longer a hangout, but they've proved me wrong there. Several days in a row I've seen two eagles in the top, sitting among those dead branches, watching for dinner or enjoying the catch.  

My personal favorite time of year has so many exciting things on the horizon, and it's easy to get behind on sharing when your passion is being outside taking the pictures.  They seem to accumulate exponentially, mushrooming into this task that must be done. What good are they if you can't share them though, right?  We're looking forward to trips to the nest in hopes of documenting another family being raised on Lake O' the Pines, so get ready!  Meantime, we will post the things we see, and ask you to join in.  We have such an abundance of beauty around us, and what I feel to be both a privilege and an obligation to appreciate and share it!