The Observation Deck

I have been following the exploits of the Emerald Canyon Bald Eagles for a couple years. While the nest is a good ten minute walk south of Lakewood, the eagles are seen nearly daily in and around Lakewood, especially along Riverside Drive on the edge of the canyon. The nest has been the home to at least 10 offspring, which along with other nests withing ten miles put about 30 bald eagle offspring in the area! While these breathtaking numbers have taken the Bald Eagle off the endangered species list, it still is a protected species, All eagles, hawks and owls are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC, 703-711).

Anyway, I stopped by for a couple minutes this weekend, and saw maybe the last day the Eagle family is together. Most bald eagles in the area fledge (develop the features needed for flight) by July 4th. They spend the month of June, venturing out onto the edge of the nest, then hopping, then hopping and flying, then short hop flights, then suddenly fly. They rarely stay on the nest after their first real flight. They will stay with the parents for another week or so learning to hunt for food, then they all go their separate ways. Mates will come back to the nest in the fall and it all starts again.

Well here was the big moment.


Mom lands with dinner, as the fledging sits a shirt distance away.


The baby hops/flies over and eats.


Mom takes off to a nearby branch.




Baby finishes eating then starts to hop.










Parents look on.

He climbs to the top branch...



On off he goes!








Mom looks up at the flying baby! What a day! IT continued past the parents flying for a couple minutes before coming back.



Boy they grow up fast.

See all 40 photos at: http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... les-fledge

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Amazing pictures. Love how the parent eagles watch their fledgling from a safe distance. Hope one of the eagles makes a return visit to this year's parade. Last year we were in awe of the bald eagle circling in the sky above us while we were watching the parade.

Thank you so much for sharing these.

Jim,

Very cool!

Do you know if these are the same family of birds that hunt the lakeshore?

There are bald birds flying by with fish in their claws regularly.

I have seen juveniles in the past, but not as often as you seem to sight and shoot them.

They always seem to be hunting alone.

Brian Essi wrote:Jim,

Very cool!

Do you know if these are the same family of birds that hunt the lakeshore?

There are bald birds flying by with fish in their claws regularly.

I have seen juveniles in the past, but not as often as you seem to sight and shoot them.

They always seem to be hunting alone.

Brian

They are eating machines and top of the food chain in their world.



Though usually living a solitary life, they have no issues hanging around together.



The usually work about a 5-10 mile ring when nesting. When not nesting I am sure that moves around.

The EC Eagles work the river and rapids, especially by the stables and Riverside Dr. in Lakewood.

There are nests along the lake, and a couple ospreys, which are nearly as large as Bald Eagles working the lakefront. McGee Marsh I think had 8 babies this year, The golf course up there another 6. So they are back, and they are just amazing to watch fly by.

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Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Brian Essi wrote:Jim,

Very cool!

Do you know if these are the same family of birds that hunt the lakeshore?

There are bald birds flying by with fish in their claws regularly.

I have seen juveniles in the past, but not as often as you seem to sight and shoot them.

They always seem to be hunting alone.

Brian

They are eating machines and top of the food chain in their world.



Though usually living a solitary life, they have no issues hanging around together.



The usually work about a 5-10 mile ring when nesting. When not nesting I am sure that moves around.

The EC Eagles work the river and rapids, especially by the stables and Riverside Dr. in Lakewood.

There are nests along the lake, and a couple ospreys, which are nearly as large as Bald Eagles working the lakefront. McGee Marsh I think had 8 babies this year, The golf course up there another 6. So they are back, and they are just amazing to watch fly by.

.

The Eagle was just bending the ear of the Grizzly to let him know who is a better fisherman and who owned the river.

You never poked the bear...have you?