Sumter County Eagles

The other day a friend asked if I had been to see the Eagle nest in Sumter County. I had not so this morning we took a short drive over to check it out. We saw both Eagles, a Kestrel and Red Tailed Hawk. We did not see any Eaglets, but the behavior of the adults made it look like there might be a very young one in there. We’ll see in a few weeks if there is…

One of the adult Bald Eagles sitting in the nest

Kestrel looking around from a tree top

The bokeh behind the Kestrel looks cool

Kestrel taking off

Back at the nest, the adult Eagle was still sitting down

All of a sudden, the Eagle took flight

The Eagle circled around where we were standing

The light catching the eye is pretty

Landing on a snag opposite from the nest

The nictitating membrane closed as the Eagle was calling out loudly

The Eagle called out for a while, sensing that its mate was returning

When you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go!

More calling out

Time to take off again

Lifting off

There were some vultures in the area that the Eagle was going up to run off

Calling out some more while flying up

The other Eagle returned with what looked like the remains of an armadillo

Making the turn towards the nest

Flying in closer to the nest tree

Making the approach to the nest

Back up in the nest with its roadkill lunch

As we were leaving, wee noticed this Red Tailed Hawk soaring up above us

Red Tailed Hawk circling

A good look at the namesake Red Tail

That was an unexpected, fun morning! Eagles are always awesome to watch. Seeing the Kestrel and Red Tailed Hawk also was an awesome bonus. Thanks to my friend Ken for letting me know about this spot!