It’s finally Friday and I am firmly in the TGIF department. Launching into the weekend, here’s a capture of one of my favorite bald eagles as she lifts off recently. This is kind of a fun shot showing just how high they can lift those wings on that first, all-important grab at the air to take flight. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Not exactly great photo / outdoor weather along the Colorado Front Range today with heavy overcast skies and rain. I ventured out on a local photo excursion but called it quits early due to the conditions.

On my way home, I happened across this beautiful young eagle at a nearby open space. Despite the weather, I of course had to stop and snap some pics. It looked pretty pitiful when sitting, soaked with rain.

Soon, another eagle did a flyby sending this one into the air, a bit of action I captured in this image. Low light meant a slow shutter speed causing the wings to blur but I kind of like the effect.

This is why, even when I think I am done, I always am looking and keeping an eye out for anything worthwhile. My thanks to this eagle that salvaged what would have been a zero pic day otherwise!

On my most recent visit to my favorite bald eagle nest, there wasn’t a great deal of action but at least enough to keep me entertained.

The male at this spot rarely comes home empty-handed (or empty-taloned as it were) and this day was no exception. On this visit to the family, he brought back a stick and in doing so made a beautiful banking maneuver showcasing his impressive wingspan and beautiful plumage.

Hope you all have a fantastic

With Saturday being the only decent morning weather-wise, there was no doubt where I would head for my photo outing. Arriving at my favorite bald eagle nest, I saw one of the adults across the river and the other adult was nowhere to be found.

The nest as well looked quiet for a while. Then, the dark head of junior (sorry, haven’t come up with a name for the eaglet yet) popped up and looked around. Soon, dad arrived with a stick as home repairs never seem to end. Junior did not seem happy, probably expecting a fresh meal.

It did not go hungry though as I saw it eating something out of sight. As the wind picked up, junior took advantage of it and tested its wings quite a bit, flapping and hopping up and down. It never gained any altitude but it clearly is getting itself ready for its first flight, likely in a month or so. It is currently about 2/3 the size of dad and growing very rapidly.

Holy cow! This was an incredible and somewhat intimidating display. Observing this pretty lady at her nest as she kept watch over her eaglet, she was very relaxed for almost an hour (see the image I posted Wednesday).

Suddenly, with no warning, she launched right in my direction, screaming as she flew at Mach one 20 feet over my head. I’m not sure what set her off as she disappeared behind me and into the rising sun.

I suspect another raptor intruded, perhaps the younger bald eagle I have seen make her upset on previous visits. Whatever it was, she was not happy.

The one benefit though was that I got an amazing sequence of her head on, this is my favorite of the bunch. This is probably one of the most dramatic bald eagle shots I have ever taken.

You’ve made it half-way through the workweek. Now stretch those wings and get ready for the downhill slide to the weekend. 😉

A visit to my favorite eagle nest this past weekend yielded its usual abundance of captures including this one. The lady of the nest was warming herself in the early morning sun, stretching out, and getting ready to fly.

Want some action? Just wait till Friday when I will share what is arguably one of the most dramatic shots of a bald eagle I have ever captured. Truly. Stay tuned! 

Well check out this little dude (or dudette)! I visited my favorite bald eagle nest this morning and while there wasn’t a lot of action, I did get my first good look at the eaglet.

It is actually quite big already and has lost its down and is getting its feathers. I would guestimate it is 5 to 6 weeks old.

Now, if you look close you will notice something else in this image, something a bit disconcerting that I didn’t even notice until I got home and processed the pictures. Just to the left of the eagle you see a mass of gray and another talon. The gray would be indicative of a younger eaglet, one still with its down.

I don’t know for a fact of course, but I am thinking there may have in fact been two eaglets in this nest and one passed away. I had only seen one eaglet on my previous visit but there may very well have been two and I just never saw it. It is certainly sad that is may have happened but, it is of course nature and not all that unusual.

I will look forward to watching the little one that survived grow and eventually leave the nest, contributing to the extraordinary comeback the bald eagle has made from the brink of extinction.

This is one hard working guy. With a growing new eaglet to care for, there is plenty for him to do. On just this recent morning over a three hour span, he brought back nesting material for home repair, chased off an intruding juvenile bald eagle, caught breakfast for the family and fed the little one his catch.

Here he is seen bringing back that fish, freshly caught from nearby waters. I’ve watched a lot of bald eagles and nests but the male here truly seems to be about the most dedicated mate I have seen. He’s a pretty impressive fellow and I am truly privileged to have been able to watch him and his mate for the past five years.

? ?? Have a great weekend, everyone!

Well, kind of. The whole family is indeed in this picture but you have to look close for the newest member.

Dad is perched solo to the right, mom is in the nest and if you look between her legs, you can see the bobbleheaded eaglet. This year the adults added quite a bit to the nest creating a bigger, deeper bowl so it is harder to see in there than before.

I am sure I will get many more pictures of the trio in the months to come. See my post from earlier today for a better shot of the little one.