Thursday, May 28, 2009

Time Sequence - All in the Month of May

An extraordinary occurrance has happened right outside my back door. O.K. I am exaggerating a bit but... Just a few miles away, an eagle couple has built a nest...
And one is sitting on that nest!


This shot was taken on May 1st.



(Pay special attention to the 3 photos' foliage or lack of, on the tree.)



Being careful not to disturb the eagle incubation period too much with frequent visits, I would only visit the location once a week or so, and stay for just a few seconds at a time. (By car)








On this next visit, although lighting was awful, I caught a glimpse of new life...Eaglets! Amazing! I was speechless!


This photo was taken on May 8th.






The kids were awkwardly stumbling about the nest, and for just a few seconds, they became interested in the big shiny gray blob on the ground. (My car.) I felt that I had disrupted nature a bit, so I left in total amazement...



I've never been so fortunate, to witness such an event or even thought I ever would, unless it was on the Discovery Channel. As a mental note, I thought that the eaglets would be all white and fuzzy when first born, and I've been proven wrong. It's a wonderful thing to be wrong, first hand! Amazing!

(I've gotta shout out to Rattlin Antler for trusting me with the secret, Thank You! It an awesome memory in the making, thanks to you!)




Going back to see how big the kids have grown on May 25th...


Holy crap! They grow incredibly fast! Wow, it's almost over...Soon, the not-so-little kids will fledge...I'm sad to see them go, but thrilled that both young eaglets are healthy and ready to soar! I feel so incredibly lucky! Once in a lifetime...
I still just shake my head in amazement just thinking about it. Seriously? Wow! and...WOW!!
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16 comments:

  1. ShelleyMay 28, 2009 at 7:07 AM

    These are just miraculous photos! Wow Hannibal! So beautiful and must've been so exciting to see!!

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  2. MarshaMay 28, 2009 at 7:12 AM

    I feel like I should say "congratulations" - what an awesome sight to see. The series is just amazing and I just can't believe how fast they have grown. The second photos with the eaglets is just simply the cutest thing ever.

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  3. roentareMay 28, 2009 at 7:16 AM

    Wonderful looking images with beautiful birds

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  4. abbMay 28, 2009 at 7:19 AM

    How great is this?? I'm envious, but so glad you're sharing their progress. Truly a wonderfully lucky thing to be part of.

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  5. ChrisMay 28, 2009 at 7:26 AM

    Wow, incredible. how lucky you are!!! Fantastic to see them like that.

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  6. NatureStopMay 28, 2009 at 9:58 AM

    You are indeed lucky to be able to capture every stage so beautifully and thanks for sharing.

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  7. Vicki ~ FLMay 28, 2009 at 10:43 AM

    Thanks for sharing these great photos with us!

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  8. Don and SherMay 28, 2009 at 11:19 AM

    Very nice job, you get the best, thanks for sharing.

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  9. Ruth's Photo BlogMay 28, 2009 at 2:28 PM

    Wow!To be able to watch all this first hand is amazing.
    Blessings,Ruth

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  10. CarolMay 28, 2009 at 7:26 PM

    I have had Osprey and Red Shouldered Hawks nest within sight of the house and could watch them leave the nest. I would love to have a Bald Eagle nest here. Good pictures.

    www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com

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  11. Aunt "B's" BackyardMay 29, 2009 at 6:52 AM

    Are you sure you're not from the Discovery Channel???
    Those are incredible shots! How did you even hold your camera still while photographing them with all the adrenaline rushing through your veins.
    Just stunning!!

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  12. MontanagirlMay 29, 2009 at 7:51 AM

    Hello ... I thought I'd pop over and check out your blog. I keep hearing about "Hannibals Animals", so here I am. Love the Eaglet sequence. You are very fortunate to have been able to witness such an awesome sight. I'll be back....Visit my blog sometime if you like.

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  13. jalynn01May 29, 2009 at 1:09 PM

    You are one lucky girl to have found this nest and be able to photograph the progress.. They are so close up and personal...makes me so want to see a nest this close up too. The only one I have witnessed is so far away it's a speck on the mountain side. Thank you for sharing this with us! So so neat!

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  14. TinaMay 29, 2009 at 5:59 PM

    Hannibal,
    This, definitely, is an experience of a life time! I was captured by the nest itself..look how big those "sticks" are?? Just watching them build the nest would have topped my birding experiences...but to actually get pictures of the young at two diff growing stages.. Wow... that's pretty cool stuff!! The word thrilling must not even come close to how you felt!

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  15. denappleJune 1, 2009 at 8:02 AM

    And we think human kids grow up fast. We have a pair of Cooper's Hawks next door, but the nest is so high in the pine tree we can't see over the edge at all.

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  16. AnonymousJune 1, 2009 at 8:11 AM

    A wonderful set of photographs and the leaves helps tell the story. I have had nests of Robins but there is a big difference in size. LOL

    Abraham Lincoln
    My Birds Blog

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