NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS ~ January-April 2011

obxbarb · **Posted:** Mon Feb 07, 2011 11:24 pm

Beautiful Jim....thanks!!

SusanE · **Posted:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:54 pm

Jim, did you see an intruder this morning?

REENIE · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 6:57 pm **Posts:** 19893

THE EAGLE PICS POSTED HERE ARE JUST BEAUTIFUL! JIM, YOU ARE SO LUCKY TO SEE THEM LIKE YOU DO. THOSE CLOSE UP CAPTURES ARE AWESOME! I TRY TO CHECK IN ON THEM WHEN I CAN, I JUST LOVE THOSE FACES!

jim · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 3:23 am

Susan, there were two intruders at the nest Tuesday morning. One was an adult eagle and he/she had Mom and Dad on the move. The other was a 3 year old juvie around noon time. A Red Tail Hawk also joined in on the fun. Mom always does the escorting of these intruders as was the case on Tuesday.

SusanE · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:56 am

Hey Jim, thanks for the info on the intruders. Do you think they were just passing through air space or were they presenting a threat? Did you get any pics?

jim · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 2:05 pm

Susan, I was not there for this event. This is through conversation with people who were there. You know how work gets in the way. We never really know what the intensions of these "intruders" are. I have only seen two get close to the nest. Last year a juvie ended in the nest while NE was being rescued. NC & ND let him eat part of a fish that was in the nest. Ya just never know. But they do get the attention of the adults in short notice and are escorted out of the area. I watched this happen yesterday afternoon but it was out of camera range. I will post some pics later tonight of Dad circling around the nest after he met this adult who left the area.

Beth · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 2:27 pm

Thanks for all the info Jim :valthumbup:

If we have a 3rd egg today is the day - Dad is on the nest right now...

Beth · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 2:44 pm

Congowings: Source DGIF:
Eagles do not have good vision at night.
Source CCB:

Not everyone agrees about the night vision of eagles. No question they have outstanding daytime vision. An eagles retina contains more cones than rods, which means it can see in color and has excellent day vision. Birds like owls have more cones and thus have excellent night vision and see in shades of gray. Eagles like some other raptors have two fovea in their retina. One allows them to see at great distance in binocular mode and in color. The other up close in shades of gray and monocular (one eye at a time) mode. While an eagle certainly cannot see as well at night as an owl, I believe that its sharpness of vision does permit it to see better at night than us humans, thus we see them able to fly about at night especially on bright nights.
Posted-Wednesday February 9, 2011 1:37

SusanE · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 4:10 pm

Thanks, Jim, and looking forward to your pictures! And thanks to Beth & Congowings for that info about eyesight.

eiguoc · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 4:45 pm

Playing catch up in putting some in
Feb 8

Feb 9

Mom's many sides & faces

jim · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:28 pm

Yesterday when I arrived at NBG the male was already on alert
as you can see by the first picture. Shortly there after he left
to patrol the nest area. Within the next few minutes he did escort
another adult eagle from the area. The in flights are of him during
his several patrols of the nest area after the other adult left.

Taking a break during his partols

On the move

Yesterday was intense for the parents as other eagles entered NBG. I was there
this afternoon and all was peaceful.

SusanE · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:33 pm

Jim, your pictures are phenomenal as usual. Thank you so much! It is hard to imagine what it must be like to be an eagle, but your watchfulness is helping us understand. I'm so glad everything was calm this afternoon!

PattiO · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 11:24 pm

I wasn't watching today but the report is that Mom laid her third egg this evening right before dark. Empty posted her video on WOW ... she was certainly sitting up and 'fluffed' up. At about 4:30 into the video is when it looks to me like the final push. :valthumbup:

http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h145/ ... degg-1.mp4

obxbarb · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 11:49 pm

Thanks Patti!! It sure looks like another egg to me. I can't believe she started eating right away. Wow!

Jim, thanks for your inside info on the intruders. I saw a discussion in the chat, but never read what happened. They don't mess around this time of the year.
That second shot above is great! I've seen plenty of eagle shots before, but don't ever remember a big stretch like that.

PattiO · **Posted:** Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:02 am

Shesh ... I didn't look closely at your pics Jim!! I'm a bit scattered brained tonight. My nephew is in the hospital and has to have his gall bladder out tomorrow.

That second one sure is a beauty!! Looks like a take-off Barb! Gosh, they are so beautiful and majestic. They take my breath away. All this damage we're doing to the earth just makes me so depressed when I watch these birds. I know things like gas drilling creates jobs, etc., etc., etc., ... but what right do we have to put our needs over those of the creatures of the earth ... just because we're 'intelligent'?? UGH!

:tearhair

OK ... off my soapbox now! :vallaf:

REENIE · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 6:57 pm **Posts:** 19893

OMG! THE EAGLES ARE COVERED IN SNOW THIS MORNING AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S STILL COMING DOWN :-(

POOR THINGS! SORRY I CAN'T POST A PICTURE FROM HERE.

ALSO CAN'T SEE YOUR PICS JIM, BUT WILL CHECK THEM OUT TONITE FOR SURE :-)

eiguoc · **Posted:** Thu Feb 10, 2011 8:11 am

Beautiful photos Jim. You are so lucky to be their LIVE
This is just terrible. I hope the eggs will be all right

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63313

If this is the same weather system we got in GA, it should move out quickly with melting to follow...I'll have to go check the forecast to find out...

Cristine · **Posted:** Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:14 am

UGHHHHH; the snow this morning in Norfolk!!! :valcen:

A special prayer being sent up for the parents and for the eggs, especially since there are 3 eggs there now!! Speaking of that, CONGRATS to the parents on their 3rd egg! :loveshow:

Also, wanted to THANK JIM :smile:

for sharing his wonderful photos, they are SPECTACULAR! Your pictures are crystal clear, concise, great color, and in all different places whether it be limb, nest or sky. Speaking for myself, your photos are A#1 in my book (some of the best I've ever seen) and I would bet that others in the BCAW family feel the same way!

eiguoc · **Posted:** Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:16 am

8:13 Ma needs an elelctric blanket

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NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS ~ January-April 2011

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