Bald Eagle Nest Renovations
Our local bald eagle pair is once again in nesting condition and we expect eggs followed by baby eaglets later in the winter.
But for now, the nest has to be made ready for the new arrivals and that means more nest building materials needs to be gathered and added.
This morning one of the eagles was sitting in his usual pine tree along side the salt marsh. He had been there for a while when he suddenly began to take interest in one small dead portion of tree branch.
He first started trying to snap the branch with his feet, but when that didn’t work he did something none of us had ever seen before. With the dead branch firmly grasped in one talon, he threw himself off the tree to the left presumably expecting the small piece of dead pine to come with him.
But when that didn’t happen, the eagle quickly found himself dangling from the tree by one foot, still holding tightly to the dead branch that he obviously wanted badly.
Finally, the branch snapped and gave way and the eagle was able to fly out across the marsh with a new section of nest material. I’m not sure if the new parent will feel it was worth all that effort, but I’m sure they will find a nice spot for it somewhere in the nest.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Your description is so vivid, I was cracking up reading it! So glad you were on hand to witness and document that!
It’s not often that eagles are comical but this guy had everybody laughing for sure. 🙂
Phil, your work is an incredible, day-to-day diary of salt marsh wildlife. How lucky we are to have your important and beautiful art and narratives.
Well I greatly appreciate your very kind and thoughtful comments and I’m happy you enjoy the photos from the marsh! 🙂
Amazing series of photos! I’m glad you captured Mr Eagles unorthodox approach to harvesting pine for Nestorations..
I love that… “nestorations”! 🙂 Thanks very much for looking and commenting.
Oh dear Phil, this is amazing observation, and sure great shots too! Thank you, always you share with us amazing wild life stories and photographs. Happy New Year, Love, nia
Thank you very much Nia I really appreciate you looking and commenting and I’m happy you enjoy seeing the eagle!
Amazing bird. What a great capture of his one leg feat.
It’s not often we see an eagle putting on a comedy show but this bird was a real character! 🙂
The things a fella has to try to get some home improvements done! Fantastic photography, Phil. I bet you held your breath as he dangled by one leg!
Frankly I was shocked to see this big bird hanging upside down by one leg and all for a tiny dead branch. Oh well, maybe Mrs. Eagle sent him out for materials and he had to come back with something. Thanks for looking Maggie!
Nature’s home renovation, Fantastic pictures.
That’s exactly what it was, and the gymnastics comedy routine was an added bonus. 🙂 Thanks for looking.
Wow, amazing! I’ve never seen this either. Well done, managing to capture it in images! Happy new year to you.
Amazing!! Thanks for sharing this fantastic ability and determination of the eagle. Nature is just so exciting.