Empty Nest

Theresa and I always get a little anxious when our Eagles are prepared to take their maiden flight. Every day we watch the ritual played out in Eagle culture whereas the babies are slowly prepared to get out on their own. We knew the time was near when we saw a baby half way up the tree clinging to a too small branch which barely held the weight of this huge bird. Mother stood guard and the babies were denied access to their nest .

This morning was a typical Florida morning , warm (68) and no wind. I convinced Theresa that we should have a bike ride before breakfast. We were fortunate because we saw the show we waited for during the last few days. There was mama eagle perching on the branch that had become her throne for the incubation period without the care for her babies ,they were gone.

Nearby on an open perch, 50 feet up in the air were the two coal black babies. They looked proud to have taken the plunge and flew to the closest safety haven. From now on they will be free but not from mother as she begins the task of making them self sufficient. She will teach them to fish as that is their only food in these parts and there is plenty for all.

We waited for a while and took picture after picture of the antics performed by these new free kids. They put on quite a show, flapping their wings and gaining confidence. One flew away but the other after several nervous attempts remained on the branch. These were our 15Th and !6th young ones we followed over seven years..

And now mother Eagle has a short break before nesting time again. She will have the freedom to get strong and gain weight and soar for the sheer joy of being ruler of the skies. As we took the last picture of mother perched above her nest I know she felt as we did when we realized we were empty nesters as well.