Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

14 images to load up. Some with commentary.
Will take a little time.

Image 1-Bringing in grass for nest remolding


Image 2-Taking off-Rear view


Image 3- Check wingspan of about 7 feet. compare to nest.


Image 4-Juvenile climbing back limb


Image 5-Standing proud!


Image 6-Standing on side branch & hopping around.


Image 7


Image 8- Exercising wings and air time!


Image 9-More of the same


Image 10-Bringing in grass with kids expecting food

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

On Feb. 28th , I arrived at the nest at daylight. Other photographers were already there. There was one adult eagle in the same tree as the nest.
The other adult eagle was in a tree closer to the fence line and road. This one was doing some talking! Very cool to listen to the sounds! Then flew over to the nest and did some more talking.

Image 11

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

There were no juveniles around the nest. Of the photogs there, there was a couple that I know and they said they had been there the last couple of days and had observed the juveniles flying around. We looked all around and could not see them anywhere.
Then, the adult on the nest flew across the river and landed in a tree top. I believed the tree was about 3 to 4 times further away than the nest. After watching this eagle we discovered one of the juveniles in the next tree to the right. We could only see it when it would flap its wings.

Image 12

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

This went on for a while. The eagle in the distance tree then flew off and returned after a while with a fish. The eagle with the fish then circled around the tree with the juvenile about 4 times and then, flew to the nest. The adult was trying to lead the juvenile (the other one too, as it was probably close by. I never did see it).
Well, the juveniles never returned to the nest. The one juvenile that was in the right tree flew over to the tree that the adult had been in.
After some calling, the adult in the nest with the fish, picked up the fish and flew and circled around the tree about three times and then landed close to the river’s edge (out of our site). From the fence line, you can’t see the river. The couple I know have photographed these adult eagles for eleven seasons. They commented that, they have never seen an adult eagle remove a fish or any kind of food from the nest.
I have never seen a fish used to lure a juvenile to do anything. So, this was a very different event for me to watch and exciting to watch!
Later, the adult returned to the tree that the juvenile was in, with the same or another fish. Flew around several times and landed in the middle area of the tree where the juvenile was now. I had been seeing wings flapping down in the center area of the tree. This happened about 11am. The juveniles have not eaten since the previous day.
Things remained quiet for a while. I needed to head back home and left.
I did hear later that both juveniles did return back to the nest about 5:30 that evening.
This following image is when the adult first brought the fish to the nest. I guess I had my settings on manual and didn’t correct……..Nuts!
Wanted to post anyway as bad as it is, as this was a pretty good size fish.

Image 13


Image 14-Fence Line

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I have greatly enjoyed watching this eagle nest. Watching whatever the eagle activity may be as it happens. After a while, you learn to anticipate action…..Well, maybe.
Also, enjoy visiting with other photogs.

And update:
Went by the nest on March 12th to see if there was any activity.
We did see an adult in one of the trees close to the nest as we approached the turn out. In the parking area, the eagle left the tree and dropped down to the river. Other photogs said the juveniles had flown down to the river’s edge.
I have heard that the eagle “family” stays around for a while as the juveniles are trained to hunt and fish.
We didn’t plan on spending much time there, so we left.

If any of you have a nest nearby, I hope you can enjoy it by visiting it often photographing and watching their activities! And, post some images for us to enjoy!
Pat

Photomacdog Loc: San Francisco (Bay Area) California

Nice series Jay Pat. Where were they taken? I learned something from this series.
For me, it would have been nice to see the surrounding country side and a picture of the tree these birds were nesting in. It would have given me more of a complete feeling for this series. They were excellent shots.

Photomacdog Loc: San Francisco (Bay Area) California

Sorry Jay Pat, that's what I get when I don't scroll down.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

This is the shot from behind the mighty and fearful Canons. LOL!!!
Right behind the fence is a railroad track.
Very easy to see from the fence line.
Using Google, I came up with a distance around 200 feet from the fence.
This nest is on Hwy 29 between Llano and Buchanan at Hwy 1431
Pat

Image 15

ggttc Loc: TN

Really nice!

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Thanks for looking and commenting!
Pat

Jimjay Loc: Weeki Wachee, Fl.

Great shots, Jay Pat. I'm very lucky if I can find one eagle. Two is a whole bunch.........

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Good set Pat. I love the photos of all that wonderful photographic porn. I'm not really jealous of all those wonderful lenses. No, I'm quite satisfied with what I have. Who needs all those gimbal heads and extra bodies that just hang off your shoulder anyway. No, I'm not jealous at all. Sob, sob. lol

John Lawrence

Great series, Pat. Nicely done.

John

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Thanks for looking and commenting!
Pat

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Thanks, John!
I hope you have some eagles up there you can follow.
Pat