Bald Eagles at Carburn Park November 3, 2024

love birds

I have a story to tell!  This morning I went to Carburn Park for a birding outing plus to walk 8.3 kms to reach my new goal of covering 2120 kms in 2024 to beat what I did in 2021 which was 2119 kms, the most distance I ever covered in one year.  I had good intentions and set off into the forest with a pep in my step.  Then, I got distracted when an American Bald Eagle flew over top of me holding onto a large branch.  I took this photo then watched where it went and then I went there!  

I ended up at that spot by the Bow River where I spent much time in the spring waiting for the birth of the Eaglet and then watching it grow.  It grew so quickly and vacated the nest and now the two Bald Eagles are empty nesters.  Well, when I arrived at that spot this morning, I joined four guys.  They told me the two Eagles were building a nest.  I did a  little homework when I got home and I learned that a pair of Bald Eagles will begin to build a nest one to three months before mating season.  OK so I guess they will begin to mate in February of next year!  Anyway, back to my story!  

These are the two resident Eagles who come to this location each year.  This time they are building a new nest not far from the one they used earlier this year.  The four guys and I watched the Eagles for an extended period.  From their conversation, I made an assumption that the one on the right is the female and the one flying away is the male.   

The male Bald Eagle kept flying off and returning with a branch.  

In this photo it was breaking off a branch.

returning with another branch

While the male was off collecting branches, the female stood guard shooing away Magpies and accepted the branches upon the males return.  They appeared to work together to get each branch in place in the nest.  While googling, I learned that a Bald Eagle nest ranges from four to five feet in diameter and three to four feet tall.  They take great care and are meticulous in building the nest.  

two videos showing the Eagles at work

While watching the Bald Eagles busily building the nest, the guys pointed something out to me that I had not noticed.  Look at where the Eagles are in the tree, the nest is to the right and just below them. Follow that tree down to the bottom.  Do you see what the guys saw and pointed out to me? 

This is a close up of the bottom of that tree where they are building their nest. The Beavers' intentions are to use pieces of this tree in constructing their dam.  The guys believe this tree will not be standing for much longer.  

If only there was such a thing as a "Bald Eagle Whisperer" who could tell this beautiful pair of Love Birds to move along and build their nest in some other tree.  This whole scenario has peaked my interest and I will definitely be following this love story with hopes of their nest being safe and come spring time they will no longer be empty nesters!  When I was googling about them, I learned that Bald Eagles are strong and independent and they are survivors.  They are majestic, bold and faithful!  

Oh by the way, after being stationary for the entertaining show, I then got that pep back in my step and covered the distance necessary to reach my goal of 2120 kms covered so for this year! No more goals, it's just a free for all now!