May 14, 2017

A nice visit with the eagles on Mother's Day with my son. Within a few minutes after we arrived, the male left the nest, flew around the nesting area and perched next to the female. Little big one in the nest was active while we were down along the lakeshore. By the time we climbed back up to the nest area, junior was snoozing again.

Photos by Judy/UrDogNu

https://youtu.be/_v-m4v5abAA

Video/Photos by Judy (UrDogNu)

Nearly Same Size As Adults; Seven Weeks Tomorrow~5-18-17

At six weeks, the eaglets are nearly as large as the parents.
At eight weeks, the appetites of the young birds are at their greatest. While parents hunt almost continuous to feed them back at the nest the eaglets are beginning to stretch their wings in response to gusts of wind and may even be lifted off their feet for short periods.

https://youtu.be/jq8Hb-W1ur8
Video & Photos by Judy/UrDogNu:

Preparing for Branching; 8 Weeks Old; Food Delivery; Bird Bomb~5-25-17

Before the eaglets learn to fly they have to build their upper body strength by exercising their wings. The eaglets will wildly flap their wings and jump up and down. This is fondly referred to as ‘wingersizing’. Eventually they will hop/fly across the nest until they are ready for the next stage - branching.
Usually branching occurs around 2-3 weeks before an eaglet will fledge (fly for the first time). Mostly two weeks.
Branching is the process by which the young birds hop out of the nest onto the limbs next to it. This is a small step towards eventual fledging. Branching allows the birds to begin to really stretch their wings, improving their coordination and balance while building the muscles they'll need for flight. Bald eagles fledge, or leave the nest, any time between 9 and 14 weeks...average time is four weeks.

https://youtu.be/yeEwJSqXLho

Video & Photos by Judy/UrDogNu

Developing The Grab & Carry With Talons & The Wing Hop ~ 5-26-17

The last phase of development as nestlings is neurological or the learning of coordinated movements. This includes walking, feeding, and flying. The final month of development is consumed by acquiring the coordination needed for movement and flight.

continued...

The family...

Mr and Mrs Lake Casitas...photos by Joe P Powers

https://youtu.be/6XqL9QEOLKQ

9 Weeks Old; Mom & Dad Soar Together; Fish Delivery~6-1-17

Video & Photos by Judy/UrDogNu

https://youtu.be/rd8fZ85QlTk

It's All About Wingin' It ~ 6-4&5-17

Video & Photos by Judy/UrDogNu


Big wings.


Dad perched on the far left, Mom on the far right... and of course little big one in the nest.


Dad just arrived.