Welcome to my new blog!
Although I may feature some more winged animals, this blog is dedicated to documenting the eagles at Shiloh National Military park. I decided that, since I enjoyed sharing so many images from the 2009 eagle nesting season, I'd start a blog with that special purpose.
This way I can not only share images but information, exciting moments and interesting experiences as well.

If you visit the eagles, I would like to ask that you please respect the rules.
There are designated areas to park and PLEASE always be respectful.
Viewing these birds is a unique privilege...Please don't get that privilege taken away from everyone!!!

Two Turtles

Since I get asked often about the image of an adult eagle bringing two turtles to the nest, I have decided to post the link so that it can be easily found.
"Two Turtles"

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some interesting facts:

Hiram and Julia (an American bald eagle pair named after General Grant and his wife) made their nest high in a pine tree beside a road in Shiloh National Military Park. They raised a pair of eaglets during the 2008 nesting season and then two more eaglets the following season. The pair have been photographed carrying fish, turtles and small rodents to their young.

*American bald eagles mate for life.
*The female American bald eagle is slightly bigger than the male.
*Females and males can be distinguished by the depth of their beak.
*The American bald eagle was taken off the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants list in June 2007.
However, the bald eagle is still a protected animal.
*Young eaglets do not have the white head and tail feathers of their parents. Their white feathers will grow in somewhere around five years of age.
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Saturday, June 6, 2009

Leaving the Nest

I finally saw one of the eaglets fly away from the nest. Actually, I almost missed it...I was standing at my car getting ready to leave when I snapped this shot.
It was such a bittersweet moment for me. After months of excitedly watching them grow and get ready for such a flight, I felt a bit sad knowing that they would leave to make homes of their own so this would be one of the last times that I would probably ever see them.

*sb*
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Friday, June 5, 2009

A Favorite

Of all the images that I took over this year's nesting season, this image is one of my very favorites!!
(*unfortunately, the web version doesn't do this one justice*)
*sb*
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Return to the Nest

Tonight the first eagle to fly returned to the tree. It landed in the top of the nest tree. It was such a quick flight and such a joyful shock!

*sb*
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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Flying




*sb*
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Saturday, May 30, 2009

Leap of Faith

After much wing flapping, the young eagles are become adventurous enough to occasionally jump from branch to branch.

*sb*
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Friday, May 29, 2009

more practice...more waiting


*sb*
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tense moments

There were some tense moments (at least, it was for us onlookers) today when another bird of prey was spotted circling the eagle nest. Fortunately, it continued to circle and then flew away without threatening the nest.
*sb*
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

hungry

A hungry young eagle picking at the pine needles while waiting for a meal.

*sb*
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pretty preening


*sb*
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the big show

Tonight the two young eagles put on quite a show. They ventured out on branches away from the nest flapping their wings, crying for food, picking at tree branches/needles and testing a small amount of their independence.
*sb*
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

together

I wonder how much longer these two young eagles will be together before they leave the safety of the nest. Today they spent a lot of time together.
Here's one snapshot as the darkness began to fall at the nest tree.

*sb*
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Monday, May 25, 2009

a brief exciting moment

The activity was very normal today...
...And then the braver of the two young eagles left the branch for a brief moment in the air!! :)
*sb*
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Sunday, May 24, 2009

a short visit

Only staying for a short time today, I witnessed very little activity of any kind. Here's one snapshot from today.
*sb*
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Friday, May 22, 2009

little activity

a little preening

The two young eagles together.
*sb*
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