The marked parking spaces go right up to the trunk of the tree. This seems not to have bothered the eagles, as they have returned to the same nest for a second breeding season. This year there are three eaglets. The oldest appears to be about 4-5 weeks old.
Coincidentally, as is the case with the Pembroke Pines nest which was the first active nest recorded in Broward County (Florida), this nest is the first known active nest in Kane County (Illinois).
Last year the pair relocated from their first nest, also on the Mooseheart campus about a half mile away. That nest, first occupied in 2009, was destroyed in a wind storm in 2012. Happily both eaglets were successfully rehabilitated and released to the wild.
It is such a thrill to have these two "pioneer" nests so close to each of our homes.
The tree is leaning quite a bit. The Field House and stadium bleachers are at the far end of the parking lot. The adult is perched in the tree to the far right and can be seen in the enlarged view (click on photo).
Here is a better view of the adult standing guard at the nest.
The nest tree is about 1/3 of the way from the left margin of the photo below. The athletic field is to the right. Click on the photo for a larger view. You can see the nest with the adult standing guard.
The Fox River runs along just to the east of this property. Here the oldest eaglet eyes its parent.
All three eaglets are visible in this photo. The oldest is noticeably larger and more active.
The parent bird flew away for about 45 minutes, and then took a perch between me and the nest tree.
Newspaper articles:
2010 was the second year the pair nested here.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-04-14/news/ct-met-0415-mooseheart-bald-eagles-20100414_1_eagles-and-other-fish-eating-mooseheart-bald-eagle
In 2012, following this article, the nest was destroyed in a storm and the two eaglets were grounded and found to be malnourished.
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120623/news/706239931/
Story and video about recovery of the grounded nestlings, construction of an artificial nest (which failed) and their eventual rehabilitation and successful release.
If video does not display below this space, please visit this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbMKm6X-B0E
A marvelous post! Very exciting to have an eagles nest nearby. Great photos, great video and now I am going to check out those links. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeletethey're just amazing.
ReplyDeleteThose last 3 shots are awesome Ken! I've only seen a bald eagle once. You are so lucky to have two nests to watch!
ReplyDeleteAmazing shot! I would have thought they would have prefered a more remote spot to build a nest.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness...oh my goodness!!! How lucky to witness all this. Beautiful...extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at the Bird D'Pot this weekend.
Excellent images of the Bald Eagle, thanks Kenneth.
ReplyDelete"Rosyfinch Ramblings" has been included in Sites To See #373. Be assured that I hope this helps to point many new visitors in your direction.
ReplyDeletehttp://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2014/05/sites-to-see-373.html
your a lucky man. Take good care of thoe eagles. :)
ReplyDeleteI am sooooo jealous! Would love nothing more to get even a bad shot of an eagle. Yours are breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteIt's just great to hear a success story like that where folk just join in to help widlife out. I am somewhat surprised how the eagles have nested in such a public place. Having said that, the nest and the birds are remarkably well hidden and maybe many lay people just don't notice them.
ReplyDeleteHI Kenneth What a tremendous post with fantastic photos and video. You are so fortunate to have 2 nest so near your home.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of the bird.
ReplyDeleteLucky you having them so close!! Great story!
ReplyDeleteHow marvelous
ReplyDeleteAwesome post on the Eagles. You are lucky to have them so close. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteYou caught some wonderful shots! Love the little ones waiting to be fed.
ReplyDeleteTruly magnificent photos and story of the eagles :D)
ReplyDeleteFabulous shots of the eagles. How wonderful to have them so close, although the nest tree looks so vulnerable standing alone in the middle of that parking lot.
ReplyDeleteThese are such magnificent birds, they remind me very much of our Fish Eagles in South Africa
ReplyDeleteAmazing series of amazing birds.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's so amazing, a beauty of a Bald Eagle and the brilliant camera work, thanks Kenneth.
ReplyDeleteEagles everywhere you live! You have good birding mojo! Interesting (but not surprising now that I think about weather and stuff) that this nest is so far behind the one we have near us in Ft M.
ReplyDeleteAlso interesting that the first bird is so much older. The two years I've watched "our" nest, the babies (two each time) were within a day of each other.
Nice wilderness location! Funny what birds do sometimes.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Great series!! Boom, Bobbi and Gary.
ReplyDeleteWere these photos taken in 2014? I live in North Aurora on the river and see these Eagles often in winter. I was aware of 3 eaglets in 2012, but not a third round in 2014.
ReplyDeleteYes, Michael, there were definitely three eaglets in the nest when I took that photo on May 21, 2014.
ReplyDelete