Bald Eagle Talent Contest – Oct. 9th, 2014

On By mvschulzeIn Birding, Photo

A few days ago, a pair of bald eagles appeared in one of the recently vacated osprey nests on the edge of Barnegat Bay, (Ocean County) New Jersey.  As seen from a few hundred yards offshore, they apparently were playing ‘one up-manship,’ although I have no idea of what their gender was. (?!) For the captions, the “wife” is initially in the nest, with the “husband” on the perch. 

Thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcome 🙂

This post contains 18 relatively hi res images, so you can click or finger stretch to see better, or if short on time, simply browse the images. 

2014-10-09 at 08-34-16
Wife:   “I stand in this nest facing south”
2014-10-09 at 08-34-39
W:   “And now, I’m facing north!”                         Husband:   “Boring!”
2014-10-09 at 08-42-55
W:   “And, Now, I’m facing west!!!”                  H:   “Whooo! Soo talented!!! Now, WATCH THIS….”
2014-10-09 at 08-42-56
                                                                           Wife:   “Ahhhhhh! ”                    “H:   “BOO!”                                                          
2014-10-09 at 08-42-57
H:   “First Step – ‘Walk this Way!’ “
2014-10-09 at 08-42-58
H:   “Second Step – ‘Ready for Liftoff!’ “
2014-10-09 at 08-42-59
H:   “Third Step – ‘Ahhh such form…!’ “
2014-10-09 at 08-42-59 (1)
H:   “Fourth Step –  ‘Touchdown with style!’ ”                    W:   “Jerk!”
2014-10-09 at 08-43-01
H:   “What did you say?”
2014-10-09 at 08-43-03
H:   “Like, you could do it BETTER?????”
2014-10-09 at 08-43-16
W:   “You’re an idiot!”
2014-10-09 at 08-43-32
                                                    H:   (Shocked!!!)           W:   (Looks away, unapologetically.)                                                                                                                                                              
2014-10-09 at 08-44-38
W:   (Planning her  response….)
2014-10-09 at 08-44-43
W:   “With graceful agility, I gently levitate.”
2014-10-09 at 08-45-06
             H:   (He looks away, pretends not to see.)          W:   “Yes, I NAILED IT!!“
2014-10-09 at 08-45-44
      H:   “Hmmph! ”        W:   (Takes a bow!)
2014-10-09 at 08-45-29
W:   (With the antics of the morning over…)   “…Who’s that guy out there in the boat?”

16 thoughts on “Bald Eagle Talent Contest – Oct. 9th, 2014”

    1. Id like to believe I’ve recently learned the eagle sign, mannerism and verbal language (?) but there is a incredible “bird-linguist” and conservationist, (Thats not a typo, I mean like in the NJ Conserve Wildlife Organization) who has covered the area shore birds remarkably in his site: exit63.wordpress.com M 🙂

      Reply

  3. Love your captions!! What a wonderful find. I’ve seen them close up at rescue meetings but yet to see one in nature. They are just beautiful and I was amazed how big they are the first time I saw one.

    Reply

    1. Thanks. Right spot, right subjects – a lot of good luck. It’s funny, I almost believe the captions I hear in my head. The patient, non-chalant expression of the “wife,” after the “husband” ‘tries to scare her, and he gallantly walks over and flies up to the left perch – is absolutly precious. M 🙂

      Reply

  8. Great photos of our Eagles antics
    Saw your post on exit63. Jim V is a
    super wild life photographer
    that I have followed
    for a very long time.
    Glad to have found another gifted
    lover of our birds.

    Reply

  9. Thanks Grandby2, and thanks for viewing. I agree, Jim’s photographs are remarkable, almost without exception. He certainly is an inspiration for those always trying to reach the capture bar. M 🙂

    Reply

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