Eaglets at Honeymoon Island State Park

Again this year, the pair of Bald Eagles at Honeymoon Island State Park moved into their nest and started a family. We tried to walk to the nest two weeks ago, and found ourselves stopped by a flooded trail. Last Tuesday we went again, not taking the Canon 500mm lens and tripod this time as we had the last time. Naturally, the flooding dried up and we walked all the way to the fenced off area. Note to self: always carry any lens you might need!


Federal law requires a buffer zone around Bald Eagle nests on public land during the nesting season, which generally runs from October 1 to May 15. When we visited last week one of the adult eagles sat in a tree near the nest. A couple of photographers left the site as we approached, and commented that they saw the one adult, but no sign of the eaglets. As they walked away, I watched the nest through my binoculars and first one dark head with a large bill popped up, then another. We called to the departing couple to come back, and they watched with us for a few minutes. I looked as the eaglets ducked back into the nest, and came up again, this time one had something in its bill.

The adult never moved the entire time we watched. The youngsters ducked down again, and again came up with something to eat. We enjoyed the show for a while, then walked back and down to the beach. I tried to shoot with my zoom lens fully at 400mm, without much success. I hope you enjoy the photograph anyway.