A relative quiet at the
Southwest Florida Eagle Cam (SWFEC) nest site of Ozzie and Harriet would change dramatically in the first days of Fall 2015.
Day 4: 25 September 2015
The Cattle Egret with Eurasian Collared-Dove and European Starling above (image 1) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
A sub-adult Bald Eagle landed on the nest tree pre-sunrise which appeared to have taken up residence in the nest area overnight. The eagle was named Slim by
Dee Kelly and
Donna McMurrer before I got to the SWFEC site this day.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above (image 2) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Red-shouldered Hawk with prey above (image 3) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (unidentified adult) above (image 4) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Cattle Egret above (image 5) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Great Egret with Cattle Egret and Snowy Egret above (image 6) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 7) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Loggerhead Shrike above (image 8) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Chimney Swift above (image 9) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
While Slim can be called immature based on his age, he definitely shows signs of great confidence and control of his actions. A seemingly good fit for Harriet while she, I found out later, was observing her nest from the power lines to the north.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 10) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Muscovy Duck above (image 11) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Fish Crow above (image 12) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (unidentified adult) above (image 13) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (unidentified adult) above (image 14) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 15) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 16) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (unidentified adult) above (image 17) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
As the morning progressed, Ozzie nor Pretty Boy (M15) made an appearance at the nest site. It seemed very odd to me that Pretty Boy would abandon Harriet whom he seemingly had bonded with successfully. A pair of unidentified adult eagles perched on the Cell tower to the westsouthwest of Harriet's nest tree.
The Bald Eagle (unidentified adult) above (image 18) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (unidentified adult) above (image 19) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 20) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 21) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (unidentified adult) above (image 22) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (unidentified adult) above (image 23) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (unidentified adult) above (image 24) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 25) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
Slim left the nest tree which opened an opportunity for one of the unidentified eagles to land in it on at least a couple of occasions. Slim was not pleased with this and drove the intruder off with ease. Slim was later attacked by the unidentified adult while he was in the tree.
The Eurasian Collared-Dove above (image 26) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 27) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
Donna McMurrer above (image 28) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (unidentified adult) above (image 29) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (unidentified adult) above (image 30) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 31) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (unidentified adult) above (image 32) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Osprey above (image 33) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
With all of the interaction between Slim and the competing Bald Eagles, Slim became the victor this day. While all of this great eagle interaction took place, there was an abundance of other action which included my first of season observation of Chimney Swift which were flying in pairs or more toward the east.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 34) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) with unidentified adult above (image 35) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) with unidentified adult above (image 36) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
Day 5: 26 September 2015
My fifth day of observations at the SWFEC nest site began with observation of a mating pair of Red-shouldered Hawk. The event occurred too quickly to allow the camera's lens to focus in time.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above (image 37) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
While Eurasian Collared-Dove have been present at the nest site in great numbers each day, I was grateful to
Gail Campbell for pointing out a White-winged Dove that had made a very brief appearance.
The Pileated Woodpecker with Boat-tailed Grackle above (image 38) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Pileated Woodpecker above (image 39) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Pileated Woodpecker above (image 40) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Pileated Woodpecker on the eagle's nest above (image 41) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Pileated Woodpecker above (image 42) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The White-winged Dove above (image 43) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The White-winged Dove above (image 44) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Pileated Woodpecker above (image 45) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Belted Kingfisher above (image 46) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 47) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 48) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 49) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 50) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Boat-tailed Grackle above (image 51) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Eurasian Collared-Dove above (image 52) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Blue Jay above (image 53) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Harriet) above (image 54) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Eurasian Collared-Dove above (image 55) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Boat-tailed Grackle above (image 56) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
Other bird species would carry on with their routines in pairs, or at least be in sight of each other. Slim remained in the area this day solidifying his interest in establishing a bond with Harriet. He appeared to be garnering her tolerance of his presence at the least.
The Anhinga above (image 57) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 58) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
Day 6: 27 September 2015
Observations on Day 6 again started early. After a spectacular sunrise, the sky remained overcast. Harriet and Slim left the nest together heading southwest toward the Eagle Landing Publix.
David Mintz called to say that the eagles were in view south of Florida State Road 78 (Bayshore Road).
The sunrise above (image 59) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Harriet and Slim) above (image 60) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
I decided to see one of Harriet's preferred areas when away from the nest close up. Although I couldn't see Harriet from my vantage point she could occasionally be heard. Slim was in view. After about an hour he took off to the south presumably following Harriet.
The Tricolored Heron above (image 61) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 62) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
Aside from Dee, Donna, and Jeff Jansen who are seen almost daily at the nest site, I have additionally met and enjoyed time with wildlife enthusiasts
Wilbur Chaney,
Dave Eppley,
John Holmes,
Jay Quintero,
Desiree Deliz,
Robert Kimbrell, Barb, Sandy,
Ken Corregan,
Marie Adams, and David and Gail mentioned earlier.
The Great Egret above (image 63) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
Additional reports of Harriet and her nesting activity will be presented in this blog in the future.
The Bald Eagle (Slim) above (image 64) was photographed at the Pritchett Eagle Cam Site in September 2015.
Please also see
Ozzie And Harriet: A Closure Pt. I
Please also see
Ozzie And Harriet: A Closure Pt. III
Great pictures and interesting story. I had heard about Ozzie but didn't know all that was behind it. Hopefully, Harriet will find a new mate that works out. Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dina. Harriet was observed copulating with M15 this morning. I'm trying to get caught up with the image files as quickly as possible.
DeleteWow, Wonderful images of all kinds of birds! The series of the Bold eagle are stunning en superb!!
ReplyDeletegreetings,
Maria
Thank you, Maria. I am seeing at least one new species at the SWFEC site each day. Today added Wood Stork and Northern Harrier which were photographed.
DeleteSuperb documentation Bob -- the beautiful flight shots make it abundantly clear why this raptor was chosen as our national bird!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hemant. It has been particularly fun to get to know the sometimes minute characteristics that each eagle has which helps distinguish them from one another.
DeleteBeautiful and captivating series!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I am going to miss visiting the nest almost daily. With hope I will be content in knowing that things have stabilized for a successful nesting season.
Delete