Highlight of the month was the delayed arrival of two eaglets in the local Bald Eagle nest, the 17th and 18th known offspring produced at this nest. In the prior breeding season, the parents suffered loss of their first brood. Undaunted, they nested again and produced two more eaglets which hatched in March, 2016, almost three months later than normal.
Only one survived, and fledged in mid-June. It required the care and attention of the adults until mid-September. Normally, the eaglets would have been independent and migrating north by late May or early June. The demands placed upon the parents surely delayed their renovation of the nest and courtship.
The eaglets hatched respectively on or about February 5th and 8th. We were able to see and photograph the older eaglet for the first time on February 24:
Three days later, both eaglets posed as their mother (Jewel) roosted next to the nest:
The elongated black object protruding up from the nest is the seed pod of the Flamboyant Tree (Royal Poinciana). The leaves and seeds of this tree are toxic, containing cyanide and tannins. Some believe that the eagles deliberately collect them to deter nest parasites. However, these trees are common in the nearby residential areas and these branches may have been randomly selected.
This is the male eagle (Pride) roosting nearby:
Morning rays:
Any day when we see a male Painted Bunting is a great day. Sadly, many are trapped for the illegal pet trade:
A perky squirrel perches on a fence:
In the local rookery, a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron displayed to potential mates, although the females appeared to ignore him:
A Great Egret foraged on a foggy morning:
In the woodlands, we found a White-eyed Vireo...
...a female Red-bellied Woodpecker...
...a male Common Yelllowthroat...
...a male Northern Cardinal...
...and his mate...
...a male Northern Flicker...
...another flicker, golden in flight...
...and a Northern Parula (warbler):
Walking in early, we found a curious red morph Eastern Screech-Owl:
The Brazilian Pepper is an invasive exotic plant, but the birds love it and their droppings help to spread its seeds. Gray Catbird:
A Prairie Warbler is more interested in eating the insects attracted to the berries:
Royal Palms bear both male and female flowers. The spent male flower stems are in the foreground, and successively ripening crops of female buds and fruits are arrayed behind them. Look closely to see foraging Palm and Yellow-throated Warblers:
Spiny Orb-weaver Spider (aka "Crab Spider"):
Along the path into the wetlands, sunrise and a crescent Moon:
Wood Storks have newly occupied a rookery in Weston, a town about 10 miles to our north. I love to capture images as they glide in to join the flock:
On the lake, a Great Blue Heron, 15 minutes before sunrise:
Little Blue Heron:
Lantana blossoms wrapped in spider silk:
The Snow Moon setting, 15 minutes after sunrise:
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Linking to :
My Corner of the World
Fences Around the World
Skywatch Friday
Weekend Reflections
Saturday's Critters
BirdD'Pot
Camera Critters
All Seasons
Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday)
Our World Tuesday
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Please visit the links to all these posts to see some excellent photos on display
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so many gorgeous photos
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photography. That's a very strange and interesting looking crab spider!
ReplyDeleteOnce again a fabulous posts filled with wonderful photography Kenneth. great capture of the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron and that Spiny Orb-weaver Spider looks pretty interesting. Love the birds in flight adn the reflections. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteYour birds are always a pleasure to see and the skies make interesting backgrounds. Love these snaps :)
ReplyDeleteFeel free to share at My Corner of the World
Hello, Beautiful birds, many reason not to leave home.. The Painted Bunting is a favorite along with the Night Heron. Great captures of the Wood Stork in flight. I love the eagles, eaglets and the screech owl. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank you for your visit and comment on my blog.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos. The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is spectacular!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great set of photos, not sure about the spider though even if it is beautiful! Have a good week, Diane
ReplyDeleteExtraordinary sky, terrific wildlife! That heron in full breeding display is outstanding!!
ReplyDeletethanks for linking up at I'd Rather B Birdin' this week.
~Hootin' Anni (aka Anni at I'd Rather B Birdin)
Outstanding collection of birds and so well captured!
ReplyDeleteYour eagle stories and captures are to me always a special treat. We don't live high enough to see them. Only vultures, lol. Many thanks for your comment for All Seasons, Ken.
ReplyDeleteYou probably did not know All Seasons somehow "fell off" your linky list. For last week and this week your thumbnail pic is missing. You can whenever to your convenience, still link till Friday noon! Thanks so much and have a beautiful week!
Thanks for the reminder, JESH! I had trouble finding it and forgot. Done! P.S. I lost all my email addresses in a bad computer crash. Please drop me a line if you get a chance.
DeleteSpectacular captures! That crab spider looks extraterrestrial!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day!
Wonderful bird photos.
ReplyDeleteThought I had given you my email, but I don't see my comment - just to be sure, I'll give it again. junie15blooms (at) yahoo (.) com. Also meanwhile I found your original comment about your computer crsah! That must have been a very inconvenient setback!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds! The vireo and owl are fantastic! Eagle nests are so impressive.
ReplyDelete