The beginning of Bald Eagle mating season also means it’s construction time on building or renovating their nest from last year.
These photos are from the past month of the Eagles that live across the cove from our property. I cannot see the nest, but I know what ‘clump’ of loblolly pine trees it is in.
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Bald Eagle carrying nesting material
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Bald Eagle doing a fly-by to give me a closer shot, thanks!
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Another day, this time with a long stick. If this is the same male as the last photos, he was probably told to up his game on stick size, eh? 😉
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Bald Eagle carrying a long stick
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And then there was the time, when one of them came up from behind, flying over and out in front of me, not only startling me but giving me a chance at these cool shots.
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Bald Eagle passing over and out in front of me
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Bald Eagle making the turn to head to the nest
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Bald Eagle climbing high over the trees to the tall loblolly pines where the nest is hidden
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Bald Eagles mate for life and build some of the largest nests in the world in tall trees near rivers, bays, and wetland areas. About 60% of Eagle nests in the Chesapeake Bay region are located in mature loblolly pine trees at 80-110 feet above the ground. Nests are made of sticks but also contain grass, pine needles, and sometimes pieces of cornstalks. Eagles add to their nests each year, and after many years of successful nest building, their homes may grow to around 10 feet in diameter, 12 feet deep, with a weight of up to 2 tons.
Shot from a distance and heavily cropped, here’s one of the largest Eagle’s nests I’ve photographed, about 11 years ago on the Wye River on the Eastern Shore Maryland. Yes, they do get big!
