Watching for Eagles

Took the boys through the cemetery after school to check on the old Bald Eagle nest. Not disappointed.



Will need to stop by from time to time to see if we have more babies this year. The old tree is still hanging in there after years of abuse. Finger's are crossed for a healthy brood.

Greenwood Juvenile Eagles

One more trip through the Greenwood cemetery before the young eagles fly off. 2 were spotted up in the pines about 50 yards from the old nest tree.



Hope they find safety on their journey.

Greenwood Eagles

Had a few minutes so I drove back into the cemetery to see if I could get a glimpse of the Pileated Woodpeckers nesting in the dead eagle tree. As soon as I got out of the van I heard a cry and looked east. Flying toward me were 3 juvenile Bald Eagles. These were the young that fledged just before the old nest fell from the tree a couple of weeks ago.



Not far behind them was Momma who landed on a nearby pine tree as the 3 youngsters landed in the nest tree. One of the 3 flew off again soon to be joined by Pop. The two of them headed out toward the neighboring lakes. The other two sat up top and watched as Momma called out to remind them where she was.



Soon, Pop flew back in carrying a fish. He landed above me and one of the fledglings tried to move in for a snack. The two were trying to get the fish into position when it came loose and fell 50 feet to the ground not far from where I stood. Both of the eagles just kind of stared at the fish but didn't try to go after it.

The look, to me, said, "Dang...".



A few minutes later, Momma flew in from her perch and scooped up the fish and quickly had the 3 others following after her. A very interesting episode to behold.

Then I remembered. I was here to look for woodpeckers. They didn't disappoint.



On the way back to the van I had a quick encounter with a Northern Mockingbird.



Never know what you might find when you aren't even looking for it...

Starling and Red-bellied Woodpecker

I wandered over to Greenwood Wetlands to check out the action, if any. I was hoping to get some shots of the nesting Pileated Woodpeckers at the cemetery but had no luck. Eagles weren't around, either.

So, I strolled the small lakes of the wetlands. Red-winged Blackbirds were calling. A heron here, Moorhen there. Not too much happening. There were a pair of Limpkin hanging out on the far shore but not much else.

On the way back to the car, however, I did get some cooperative Starlings. Usually, they take off on close approach but this trio was more interested in feeding and let me get some shots that were not like my previous attempts that were 30 feet overhead on a power line. This shot was my favorite.



Even though they are invasive, looking at this coloration, how can you not like them just a little bit?

A little farther up, almost at the parking lot, a woodpecker flew in and posed for a few moments just above me.



Every bird in the neighborhood is showing signs of preparing for the nesting season. Can't wait.