An Eagle Adventure

 

The supermarket across the street from the Eagle Pasture isn't my favorite one, but sometimes I do our shopping there there just to have an excuse to check up on the Eagle family first.     Last week, I  stumbled on a bit of unexpected action  when I stopped by.    The picture just below, though, is actually the end of the story.
 

 

But it's a clearer picture than the action shots are, so it gets pride of place.  This is Harriet, who along with her partner has almost completed raising two eaglets this season.  The "babies" are now almost as big as their parents.  They are their 19th and 20th offspring since the SW Florida Eagle WebCam has been in place.  

 It had been a couple of weeks at least  since I'd stopped by,  so when I saw a young eagle  perched up above the nest, I  thought it was one of the two.   

(All pictures can be enlarged by double clicking on them.) 

I wasn't too surprised, because I knew from the WebCam that they had started to make short hop flights out of their nest.  

 

 

But then as I focused on the nest, I saw two heads peeking up.  What???   In the picture above are both E-19 and E-20 in the nest and the one who does not belong  perched up above.  A lady who is almost always at the nest taking pictures told me that the sub-adult visitor had flown in a little earlier.  She thought it was probably hoping to cadge something to eat when the parent eagles returned to the nest with food.  

 

 

Suddenly as I focused on the nest, one of "our" nestlings flew straight up to the branch where the visitor was perched.  There were lots of peeps from both and from the baby still in the nest!   (And some low worried murmurs  from the humans watching from below.

 

 

In the picture above you can see a little of the confrontation while the second eaglet watches from a safe spot in the nest.    The  other people there thought the brave Eaglet was E-20, the youngest of our two.   Although I have no idea how anyone could tell them apart.

  I pretty much lost the thread with the camera at that point.  

 

 

 

Actually, I am surprised I got as much of the action as I did, because usually when anything like that happens, I get excited and forget  that I'm taking pictures.   This time, it was only a few minutes and there was no violence, just a lot of noise and flapping.   The visitor apparently decided he wasn't wanted and he flew away.   E-20 flew back to the nest branch.  Job well done!

 

 

(S)he sat on the nest looking proud -- and that was when Harriet (Mom) flew in from across the pasture to land on the branch above.   I wonder if she had been keeping an eye on things from wherever she was, just to see if her youngsters could figure out how to handle an intruder by themselves.  

She did not bring any food or reward at all!  

It won't be much longer until the Eagle Pair are literally empty-nesters!

I'm pretty sure everyone  can be divided in two about my little adventure story.  Half (at least) will say "Oh, lady, get a life."  The other people will say "I probably would have enjoyed seeing that."   No doubt about it for me -- I thoroughly enjoyed my hour or so with the Eagles  and went on across the street to the supermarket feeling like it had been a very good start to the day. 

 

Sky-shots taken right here at home. 

So many reasons to be grateful.

 

Thank you to the hosts of these sharing opportunities where this post will be linked:

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;   TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;  WILD BIRD Wednesday;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS;  SATURDAY CRITTERS  and RATHER B' BIRDING

Comments

[Michelle]

I think it is very interesting....

[Margy]

There are lots of eagles in Powell River. There used to be a nest tree along the seawalk, but after it was damaged during a strong winter wind it hasn't been reoccupied. We are in Tucson now starting the third and final segment of our Snowbird adventure. This time we will head to southern New Mexico and circle back through Flagstaff. It'll be a full four weeks. - Margy

[NatureFootstep]

lol, I envy you that you have a nest to watch. We have white tailed seaeagles where I live and I see them rather often. But never up close.

[Anni]

Can a blog post be considered delicious?!! This one definitely is!! Extraordinary.

Thanks for linking & sharing!
~Anni @ I'd rather B Birdin'

[Gaelyn]

Seems like an awesome pre-shopping activity. Bonus that you got a little extra show.

[DeniseinVA]

I would definitely have enjoyed seeing that little drama in the tree tops, and am glad it turned out well. I have never gotten close enough to take photos of an eagle nest. You got some great photos Sallie, beautifully taken and your sky ones were pretty too. Happy April!

[Mae]

That must have really been fun to watch!

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

[Penelope Notes]

Such spectacular skies! I enjoyed your narrative, Sallie. They say “all’s well that ends well”. Glad each of the creatures lived to squabble another day. :)

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie,
I always enjoy seeing the Eagles. I am glad their nest is doing well this year, the eaglets are looking great. Beautiful Eagle photos.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.

[My Corner of the World]

What an interesting situation with the eagles and you got some great shots of the goings-on!

Thanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!

[riitta k]

Wow., stunning eagle photos!

[diane]

How fascinating to watch nature in action like this and well done for being able to catch on camera. Glad you didn't forget the shopping.

[Jim, Sydney, Australia]

Great shots.

[Linda W.]

I'd love to watch eagles.

[Peter B.]

Wow, twenty offspring!! If all or most survive, that's great for the eagle population. Beautiful photos.

[Amy Franks]

wow that was exciting reading the story, I'd love to know what happened, way to go Harriet!

[Suzan Batz]

This was so exciting to watch. Eagles are amazing and intelligent creatures. I love how they are permanent fixtures across from the store. Nature at its finest.
Sue

[Rain Frances]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story with the visuals!!! You took some great shots!! ☺

[Beatrice]

I would not be advising you to get a life, Sallie, because you already have a good one, so pooh on those who would say otherwise. There's nothing more interesting than coming across the unexpected as you certainly did on this supermarket outing. Thanks for sharing the eagle drama in words and photos. I would have done the same.

[Breathtaking]

Hello Sallie, :=) How I would love to have witnessed the mature Eagles, with their babies. Your action shots are fantastic. I probably,...no most definitely would have stayed there for a couple of hours at least. It's a privilege to watch these majestic birds.

Your sky shots are beautiful Sallie.
All the best.

[David Gascoigne]

Instead of saying, "Get a life", Sallie, I would be congratulating you on making the most of your wonderful life. If I had been accompanying you to the supermarket, I am afraid we might never have arrived there. What a great sequence to witness and share with all of us. Thank you!

[ellen b]

How exciting to capture that excitement at the nest. That eagle mom shot is so nice. Your sky shots from home are so lovely. Yes, so much to be grateful for.

[cloudia]

That was thrilling and well told! And we were all rewarded by that final photo at top!
Well done 👍🏽

[Su-sieee! Mac]

Stopping to watch the eagles is like stopping to smell the roses. How fun! Thanks for sharing your moment with the eagles, Sallie. Your photo of Harriet, wowza!

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Wow! Amazing photos of the eagle and nest ~ Xo

Wishing you love and laughter in all your days,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[Little Wandering Wren]

I would have been all of a flap too, witnessing such excitement at the nest. You have done brilliantly with your photos!
Have a lovely week!
Wren x

[somewhereinireland]

Wow, what an impressive eagle. Nice capture, Sallie.

[Bob Bushell]

What s picture, the Bold Eagle, I love it Sallie.

[Debbie]

WOW!!!!!!!!!! "I DEFINITELY would have enjoyed seeing that." you would have not been able to tear me away, who needs food!!! all of your images are brilliant, even that action image, 2 wings and a tail fan, it's wonderful!!

i wonder if they have a web cam set up, they are so fun and a little distracting to watch on a web cam!! they are so majestic, i am so happy to view and read this even tho i have a life!! lol

[Juliet (craftygreenpoet)]

Wow! That would be an exciting thing to watch and your photos are brilliant!

[Veronica Lee]

I enjoyed reading your eagle adventure, Sallie.

Fantastic post and photos on the Eagles.

Happy Tuesday!

[Amila]

I had a great time reading your eagle adventure. It is nice that you have this eagle nest to watch when you go to the supermarket. All these pictures are beautiful.

[Lorrie Orr]

I would definitely have enjoyed seeing that interchange. Wild creatures interacting with other wild creatures always provides great entertainment.

[William Kendall]

Good shots!

[Fun60]

It was like watching one of the soap operas on TV. I was spellbound wondering what was going to happen next andthought some dreadful drama was about to unfold.

[Sondra]

It's always a good day when you get to see some really great bird action. They are so remarkable.

[Iris Flavia]

I´m sure you will find nobody in the first group!
This is exciting!!!! Wow! Thank you for sharing! Clever, brave birds, would I have loved to witness this!
In fact I´ve never seen an eagle for real here in Germany.
Very... wow!

[Lavender Dreams]

Oh my! That is pretty scary! But the mother was probably close enough to swoop in if needed. What a commotion. I've watched the webcam some. I bet those that chat about it were in an uproar! Always something exciting in nature! Glad you got such good photos to share! Enjoy your week and this fabulous weather!

[Lisa]

I'm in the "I probably would have enjoyed seeing that" camp! Your photos and commentary are delightful. I am glad that all ended well.

[Linda P]

How exciting to see the eagles especially in action and follow the development of the young ones!

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie,
Great post and photos on the Eagles. It is great to see the eaglets are doing well. Mama is proud. I would have enjoyed this sighting too. Take care, have a happy new week!

[Hazel]

What a lovely commentary, with superb pictures. I really enjoyed this Blog🌞

[Angie]

Sallie - no question about it - I would have been one of the people who would have enjoyed watching E-20 step up! Thanks for sharing this terrific story with everyone at Mosaic Monday!

[Pat]

I'll be one to say "I would have enjoyed seeing that," Sallie! I'm glad the eaglets could defend themselves against the intruder.

[Dina Johnston]

What a great thing to see. I would have gone crazy as well. You caught the action well. That's something rare to see.

[Lydia C. Lee]

It so big!! Wow! #NaturesNotes

[Carol]

wonderful photos - eagles are gorgeous