waiting on eagle wings: the Shiloh eagles

time to roost

2011-06-07T22:09:00.000-05:00

This eagle flew in as the night was taking over. It was too late for a detailed shot...but a silhouette can be beautiful too. :)

eagle yawn

2011-06-02T21:05:00.000-05:00

in the heat

2011-05-28T20:45:00.004-05:00

There wasn't much movement going on while I was at the nest. Of course, who could blame them...It was HOT!

wall worthy

2011-05-15T23:14:00.000-05:00

Every year that I have been a regular photographer at the tree, I have come away with one image in particular that holds a deeper meaning for me. For some reason I am drawn to it and, eventually, it will become a piece of artwork on my wall. This year...This is that image, I think...

(The image became a key component in my July 4th tribute as well as my 9/11 memorial tribute. Posted 10/21/11)

the feathers

2011-05-15T22:47:00.006-05:00

During some "down-time" waiting for the eagles to return, I happened to notice a few feathers on the ground. They were so beautiful!
Since you are not supposed to take eagle feathers, I decided to "capture" them with my camera instead. :)

more baby pics

2011-05-11T23:58:00.002-05:00

some baby pics

2011-05-11T21:14:00.001-05:00

beautiful evening

2011-05-06T23:57:00.002-05:00

sharing a meal

2011-05-06T23:50:00.003-05:00

lots of flying

2011-04-30T11:23:00.000-05:00

a younger eagle (perhaps from a previous year) circling close to the nest tree

a beautiful day

2011-04-29T13:23:00.008-05:00

Short Flight

2011-04-22T13:11:00.004-05:00

the growing babies

2011-04-17T23:57:00.006-05:00

I had a wonderful time watching the babies today. They are growing and moving around more in the nest. One of them was quite active where I could get a decent view...as the little one was fighting sleep before finally fallng into a nap. :)

[Note: You can see both babies in the second shot.]

the day's highlights

2011-04-11T21:32:00.008-05:00

baby pics

2011-04-08T23:50:00.006-05:00

The babies are growing and becoming more active. Here are some images taken today. (Please excuse the quality. Shooting conditions were not the best at the time.)

stretching little wings

flying

2011-04-08T22:54:00.000-05:00

With the threat of a federal government looming on this beautiful Friday, I made plans to get to the nest (even if I only had a few evening hours to spare). So, here are a few flight shots from today....

slow day for me

2011-04-06T23:21:00.033-05:00

I was only able to spend a few hours at the nest today and didn't get to see much action. I did see a fish delivery, a grass delivery and as the darkness took over a juvenile appeared to add a few seconds of excitement.

grass delivery

small fish delivery

juvenile flying away

as night falls

adults and a juvenile

2011-04-03T22:29:00.057-05:00

Today offered a little excitement including this fish delivery and the appearance of a juvenile eagle. The adult eagles screamed their warnings at the juvenile who decided to leave after several circles around the field.

fish delivery

overhead

the juvenile

into the "roost tree" ~

(taken as the sky darkened for the night)

happy spring!

2011-03-20T22:59:00.000-05:00

Today was the most exciting day that I've had all season, I think. Here are a few of the highlights today.

now serving fish

incoming

While these weren't the best photos of the day, those at the nest at this time were treated to some long high soaring.

end of the day...

Can you see the eagle?

finally flying

2011-03-19T22:08:00.000-05:00

Since the babies have hatched, we are getting more shooting opportunities. :)

My favorite of the day

flying into the tree

at the end of the day

what it looked like as it flew right over my head

incoming flight

cleaning the beak

One Baby, One Egg

2011-03-17T23:23:00.000-05:00

Today marked the birth of the first 2011 eaglet! We are looking forward to the second egg "birth" in a few days. :)

(photos courtesy of the National Park Service)

the waiting game

2011-03-13T13:18:00.009-05:00

For the past few days, it's been a HUGE waiting game. The eagles are switching out approximately once per day which leaves huge amounts of time with no bird in sight. Fortunately, the waiting eagle did reward me with a few minutes of moving inside the nest. Otherwise, it would have been another day of waiting without a single shot.

sitting as the sun sets

2011-03-07T10:12:00.007-06:00

hanging around the trees

2011-02-26T23:51:00.012-06:00

lonely day at the tree

2011-02-22T23:48:00.006-06:00

late arrival

2011-02-17T23:53:00.000-06:00

Unfortunately, shooting conditions were not in my favor today. My late arrival, clouds in the sky and the lack of an eagle were all against me. Fortunately, I did get to witness a "change of duty" between the adult eagles before I left. Then darkness fell fast on the eagles and the day.

the stare

2011-02-17T23:34:00.008-06:00

lonely tree

2011-02-16T23:45:00.000-06:00

It was a lonely night at the nest tree as the moon glowed in the sky without an eagle in sight.

And then there were two

2011-02-11T23:40:00.011-06:00

Hiram and Julia now have two eggs!

(photo courtesy of Shiloh - National Park Service)

Hiram and Julia have an egg!

2011-02-08T20:11:00.000-06:00

I am so excited to share this official press release from Shiloh National Park!

Hiram and Julia Are Pleased to Announce the Start of the Nesting Season at Shiloh Battlefield

“Shiloh’s most famous wildlife residents have laid their first egg to begin another nesting season,” Superintendent Woody Harrell announced today. “A camera system was installed February 3rd in order to monitor the progress of Shiloh Battlefield’s nesting pair of bald eagles. On the morning of Tuesday, February 8th, it confirmed that Hiram and Julia (Shiloh’s eagle pair, who is named after General Ulysses Grant and his wife) have an egg in the nest,” Harrell said. The eagle pair made Shiloh their home in the fall of 2007, and has since successfully raised four eaglets in their residence at the park. However, not all nesting seasons have been successful for the eagles. On May 8th, 2010, Hiram and Julia’s two young eaglets, only six weeks old, were found dead at the base of their nest tree. The cause of their death was undetermined. Despite this tragedy, the eagle pair was back at their nest doing repairs as early as September, and has now officially begun their fourth consecutive nesting season.

“The bald eagles have one egg in the nest, but it will most likely not be the only one laid, “Harrell added. “In their three previous nesting seasons, Hiram and Julia have always hatched two eaglets, and this year we are anticipating two as well.” Live feed from the eagle camera is not accessible to the public at the present time. It is tentatively scheduled to be available to the viewing public in the Shiloh Battlefield Visitor Center by the end of the week.

image courtesy of Shiloh National Park (eagle cam)

a new beginning

2011-01-17T12:29:00.003-06:00

Winter has made a mark already by leaving our area blanketed in the largest snowfall in years. While that might not be an event in other areas, a large snow is a big event around here. However, being largely house-bound for that period of time can create a lot anxiousness. I needed some time out!
After hearing some encouraging reports from Shiloh, I decided to take an opportunity to get outside and visit one of my absolute favorite locations...the nest tree! Although I didn't get to see the eagles, I was encouraged by a visit with another photographer who had seen them earlier and was able to see first-hand some of the new work done on the nest.

The nest tree stands tall with the snow still along the treeline in the distance.

The field is beautiful...waiting on eagle wings to fly again!

No eagle interpretive programs

2010-05-17T15:17:00.003-05:00

Just a note for those visiting the park: The Shiloh Military Park officials have decided to cancel the Eagle Interpretive Programs for May and June. For more information, visit the park website.

Beauty in the Sky

2010-05-14T21:11:00.000-05:00

Tragedy Strikes

2010-05-08T11:01:00.001-05:00

It is with a sadness that words cannot describe that I regretfully inform you that both chicks were found dead this morning. The "Shiloh Eagle family" is obviously grieving this tragic loss. :(

Here are some of the last images I shot of the babies on the evening of May 6.

For more information on this sad turn of events, visit the www.shiloheagles.com blog.

Evening Deliveries

2010-04-29T23:12:00.001-05:00

After observing that shooting conditions were not going to be good for awhile, I knew that I had to take the opportunity to get in some photography time (even though it was get to evening hours). The light was less than ideal but I did enjoy viewing several flights as Julia "paced" from the nest to the river (capturing small fish) while awaiting Hiram's return. At one point, the nest was left unattended by an adult for somewhere around 40 minutes.

Small fish delivery

Check out those talons!

Random Pics of the Day

2010-04-25T23:49:00.004-05:00

Unusual Happening

2010-04-25T23:39:00.004-05:00

The following images show Julia collecting some pine needles for the nest. While it may not be an extremely unusual event to witness, it is not something that I have caught often in pictures.

Watching out

2010-04-23T23:07:00.000-05:00

Baby Pics

2010-04-23T22:52:00.003-05:00

Waiting for food

Feeding

Taking Off

2010-04-23T22:50:00.002-05:00

Flight and Landing

2010-04-21T22:21:00.001-05:00

Windy Day Flying

2010-04-18T22:14:00.001-05:00

Morning Visit

2010-04-17T19:05:00.005-05:00

Although I usually do not get the opportunity to visit the nest in the morning hours, this morning was an exception. When I arrived, I was greeted by the gorgeous sight of the adult eagles perched in a tree together being flooded with the warmth of early morning light.

After a few minutes, it was time to get the day started. One of the adults pulled up some grass to take to the nest while the other one flew toward the river.
Then there was a long break with absolutely nothing happening...

It was seeming like it was going to be a day of little excitement until in flew a juvenile eagle. (One of the photographers recognized it as one of the babies from last year due to some distinctive feathers.) The young eagle flew around the area and around the nest seemingly attempting to get the attention of the adult eagles.
When the juvenile landed in a tree in the area, it got a lot of attention...Both parents flew from the nest tree! The female adult shrieked at the "intruder" while the male adult pursued the youngster. It was extremely exciting to see this display!

My morning of photography ended with the arrival of an adult to the nest with a fish lunch.

Flights and Nap

2010-04-16T23:55:00.004-05:00

flying high

late flight in with food

after meal nap
(if you'll look inside the circle, you'll see the baby sleeping)

flight after the light had faded

At the end of the day

2010-04-16T23:48:00.001-05:00

As I was waiting on a late flight in, I crossed to the opposite side of the tree and saw the beautiful sunset light breaking through the branches. It was such a beautiful sight to me against the backdrop of the darkening clouded sky. I couldn't resist snapping some artistic shots of sun starting to set on the nest tree as the eagle sat waiting on it's mate to return.

Lots of Activity

2010-04-14T23:36:00.001-05:00

The babies are still very small and are staying hidden in the nest most of the time. So, the images of the young ones are not very high quality but they do provide a glimpse.

Parent on duty ~

Peeks at a chick ~

Flying toward the nest ~

Objecting to the arrival with no food!

Excuse the quality of the next two images...They have been magnified to show the two chicks' heads.
Family feeding time ~

First Peek

2010-04-13T23:36:00.003-05:00

My first peek of one of this year's chicks!

A Nap and a Flip

2010-04-11T23:27:00.002-05:00

Hiram made a dramatic approach to the nest today. He approached from the opposite side from where I was standing only giving a few seconds before landing. However, those few seconds were quite a sight! Although the images were somewhat blurred by the quick motion, you can see how talented Hiram is in the air. He was upside down and focused on the tree...but he kept his head upright.

Landing Gear Down

2010-04-10T23:20:00.000-05:00

Arrival Near Sunset

2010-04-05T23:00:00.002-05:00

Two Turtles!

2010-04-02T23:10:00.008-05:00

March brought me no luck at all...but April brought me two turtles!

After several visits with no shooting opportunities, I was getting anxious for some shooting practice. I went to the tree earlier than usual in hopes of some better luck. For awhile it appeared as if my recent bad luck would continue. Then it happened!

I was mid-conversation when the eagle was spotted. It was coming into the tree at a bad angle for where I was standing and I had only a split second to respond. Raising my camera (which I already had set for flight shots), I fired away instinctively.As usual, I took a moment to enjoy the beauty of what I had just seen. Then I reviewed my images to find out what was being delivered. I saw a turtle grasp in the powerful talons being "one-hand delivered" as the eagle entered the nest tree.Then I noticed something unusual in the flight shot images...something in the other talons. It was a second turtle! I stared in disbelief at what I was seeing. The eagle had flown into the nest and was able to deliver two turtles...one in each set of talons.

It was several hours (about 4 hours this time) between incoming flights. This particular flight was made more interesting by the winds. The legs were lowered and the wings prepared much earlier in the incoming flight to apparently compensate for the winds.

"Landing Gear Down"
Flying in to the tree against the wind

Flight in B&W

2010-02-28T22:59:00.003-06:00

a few snapshots...

Anticipation

2010-02-20T23:02:00.000-06:00

The eagles were safe!

In fact, they are working on the nest. In addition, fellow photographer Jay Turner of www.shiloheagles.com has captured the eagles "preparing" to add to their family. We are excited looking forward to a new nesting season.

The delivery of a branch to the nest as the sun was disappearing.

As if that weren't enough excitement, I observed "egg laying" behavior!! As Hiram watch protectively over her, his mate was very vocal, pacing the nest and doing lots of "tail lifting." I was absolutely in awe at what I was witnessing. With the sun setting, she continued this behavior for awhile before becoming silent and nestling down into the nest. Hopefully, we will have at least one eaglet in about 35 days!!!!

Ice Storm

2010-01-31T22:14:00.008-06:00

Then came the bitterness of winter...
The frigid cold temperatures brought with them the ice. Ice covered the trees. Heavy limbs fell under the weight. I hoped that the eagles were surviving the harsh conditions.

As soon as I could get to the nest, I did. I anxiously surveyed the damage...some broken limbs, the nest covered in ice and portions of the nest drooping with the weight of the ice. What I did not see was the eagles.
Leaving, I felt disappointed that I had not seen the eagles. However, I did feel encouraged that the nest was still perched with only minimal damage in the tree.
Hopefully, the eagles are safe...

2010 Begins

2010-01-25T15:08:00.002-06:00

Both young eagles have flown from the nest. Now the parents can be spotted occasionally flying to and from the nest or resting in the 'nest tree' branches. The area seems so lonely without the excitement of the spring and summer months.

January 2

January 23

Leaving the Nest

2009-06-06T19:48:00.000-05:00

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.

A Favorite

2009-06-05T22:12:00.002-05:00

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*)

Return to the Nest

2009-06-05T22:02:00.000-05:00

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!

Flying

2009-06-02T21:44:00.002-05:00

Leap of Faith

2009-05-30T21:22:00.000-05:00

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

more practice...more waiting

2009-05-29T22:43:00.002-05:00

tense moments

2009-05-29T19:25:00.001-05:00

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.

hungry

2009-05-27T23:55:00.001-05:00

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

pretty preening

2009-05-27T21:19:00.001-05:00

the big show

2009-05-27T20:18:00.009-05:00

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.

together

2009-05-26T19:50:00.007-05:00

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.

a brief exciting moment

2009-05-25T19:33:00.006-05:00

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!! :)

a short visit

2009-05-24T19:23:00.003-05:00

Only staying for a short time today, I witnessed very little activity of any kind. Here's one snapshot from today.

little activity

2009-05-22T19:09:00.003-05:00

a little preening

The two young eagles together.

eaglet activity

2009-05-21T23:47:00.008-05:00

waiting...

preening...

and lots of time SCREAMING for food!

lots of wing practice

2009-05-21T22:49:00.006-05:00

sky surfing

2009-05-21T19:34:00.000-05:00

one-handed delivery

2009-05-19T19:21:00.000-05:00

Here comes a turtle...

...arriving at sunset with an impressive one-handed delivery!!

flying freedom

2009-05-19T19:13:00.002-05:00

sittin' pretty

2009-05-18T18:42:00.004-05:00

As the sun was setting, I took the opportunity to test a 2X teleconverter.
Ummm...yeah, I REALLY like it!

fish incoming

2009-05-18T18:32:00.000-05:00

at rest & at play

2009-05-15T18:01:00.002-05:00

Looking for the next meal

Playing with a stick :)

some practice & a meal

2009-05-14T17:22:00.001-05:00

The eaglets are busy practicing their wing motions. One of the eaglets spends much more time working out.

The other eaglet is much more resistant to this change in behavior.

An evening meal arrives

soaring

2009-05-13T21:52:00.001-05:00

assortment of activity

2009-05-12T20:03:00.000-05:00

The lighting wasn't the best for these...but there was lots of activity to document.

observing the field

working the wings

eaglet preening

the eaglet pair fighting over some food as the sunlight faded

the beauty of flight

2009-05-12T19:33:00.002-05:00

wide open

2009-05-09T19:14:00.001-05:00

Today was dark...but the eaglet's wings were beautiful spread wide open.

making adjustment

2009-05-08T19:36:00.000-05:00

in flight and at rest

2009-05-07T19:33:00.006-05:00

The adult eagles have started resting in a tree away from the nest during the evening.

hello, little one

2009-05-07T19:25:00.001-05:00

The eaglets are spending more time looking outside of the nest.

The parents spend lots of time sitting on the branches above the nest watching over their two eaglets.

The young ones are beginning to stretch their wings more.

spreading wings

2009-05-05T19:29:00.001-05:00

eagle landing
Not the best compositions, but I liked the detail in the wings.

molting time

2009-04-30T19:19:00.000-05:00

The young eagles are eating quite frequently and growing bigger. The adult pair have started molting which gives them more rugged look.

mouth open

2009-04-29T19:13:00.001-05:00

It's not uncommon to see Hiram flying in with his mouth open, sometimes calling out during his arrival.

under protective watch

2009-04-27T19:05:00.002-05:00

The young ones are looking out from the nest more now. The parents are being very protective. They take turns sitting at the nest to keep a watchful eye on their eaglets at all times.

on the wings of eagles

2009-04-26T19:00:00.002-05:00

fish arrival and a close encounter

2009-04-24T18:50:00.002-05:00

the turtle's flight

2009-04-23T18:35:00.000-05:00

delivering catfish

2009-04-22T08:10:00.000-05:00

Tonight's meal came in the delivery of a large catfish.

feeling patriotic

2009-04-21T20:05:00.000-05:00

The eagle and the flag represent symbols of American patriotism. The combination of the two seems only fitting.

The presence of youth

2009-04-20T20:13:00.001-05:00

As I arrived to view the eagles and stepped from my vehicle, I was greeted with a flurry of noise and excitement. I looked to see another bird circling near the nest and hear the parents vocalizing their disapproval. I quickly grabbed my camera without even taking time to check my settings (this moment was unraveling so fast). Once I could focus on what I was seeing, I was stunned. For the first time to my knowledge, I was viewing a juvenile eagle in flight!
It was determined that the juvenile was probably one of last year's young which had returned to the nest much to the disapproval of their parents who were defending their new brood. After a few very tense minutes of verbal altercation, the juvenile flew away.
After some time of caution by the protective parents, the food flights resumed.

Catch of the Day

2009-04-17T20:14:00.001-05:00

This image represents a defining moment in my learning. Action nature photography was all new to me. Sure, I'd captured many animals before...but the action added such a rush. Having a perfectionist streak gave me the strong desire to succeed. I didn't yet have all the knowledge of a seasoned nature photographer (and still don't) but I did have the willingness to learn everything that I could. My mind was opened in order to try and absorb every ounce of information that I could about the eagles, about photographing birds in flight, about pushing my camera to its limits, about everything!
As it happened on this night, the evening meal was a very large fish. Several photographers responded capture the approaching flight of the eagle. The flight pattern was following a steady pattern lulling us into a sense of comfort...Then, with a quick upward motion, the eagle caught us off-guard. Some of the photographer's lost the shot altogether. A couple of us managed to catch the meal, which gave us a good laugh for the night.
It was at that moment that I felt accepted. I realized that we were all working toward the same goal. Sometimes we'd get the shot...Sometimes we'd miss it...And sometimes we'd just almost get something wonderful. But whatever we captured, we were not only recording images...We were recording memories! Memories which can make an "almost shot" into something that makes you smile.
Sometimes photography isn't as much about the perfect shot as it is about the emotion behind the shot. This image makes me happy remembering all the laughter and the many jokes that would follow! ;)

backlit flight

2009-04-16T04:21:00.004-05:00

sitting in the shadows

2009-04-11T04:07:00.003-05:00