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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