Eagles Mating this morning

[NewMexiKen]

Tom Mitchell photographed the pair copulating this morning at 7:20 AM. Tom reported that "Brown-tip" is the male bird, as we suspected.

I photographed the (presumably same) pair mating on December 4, 2007.

Last year they laid their first egg on or about December 13, exactly one year ago today!

Photo is property of Tom Mitchell and is used with his permission.

[Trisha]

I arrived at the nest later than Tom and missed the early mating. When I arrived the two adults were  perched in the maleleucas, separate trees, but side by side adjacent to the nest woods. At around 8am the male (Brown Tip) flew to the field by the high school and landed in the northeast corner. He sat there on the ground for a few minutes and we assumed was picking up nesting grass. When he flew over Pines back to the maleleucas his talons were empty. He landed to the right of the female in the closest dead tree and they sat there until 9:40. It was very hot and they were in their "flasher" positions for some of the time.

At 9:40 the female flew to the nest followed right behind by the male. They ate something left in the nest for about 10 minutes. All of a sudden 1 of the adults began vocalizing as sharply and loudly as I have ever heard them before......very high pitched and rapid. I could see Brown Tip hop over, wings flapping, and mate with the female. It was very brief....a matter of seconds, and he flew off the nest to the southwest. The female was still perched on the left side of the nest when I left at 10:05.

[Jill W]

Wow!  Things are sounding really good.  Thanks for the reports and picture, Trisha, Tom and Ken.  How are you able to see and photograph all of this from a "legal" viewing area?  Just curious.

Jill

[Trisha]

The nest is somewhat hidden by the maleleucas in front that have grown taller.  You have to move around on the north side of Pines and sometimes I move to the shade in the median to find a view (with binoculars). I'm sure there are spots where a scope would work well for you and be "legal."

As for photos I really only have a lens powerful enough for IF(in flight) shots anyway. They go to the field a lot for nest building materials and will also be going back and forth over the road more when they feed their young.

I really enjoy watching them and won't let this DOT set back stop me. For I while I was angry and stayed away, but I realized I was hurting my own passion for this experience and not DOT. I wish we could work something out and still hold out hope that could happen. I certainly won't spend the time there that I used to, and will not be involved in reminding watchers of the rules....the signs are clearly posted now. Let the police deal with that!

I really think you would still enjoy being there and hope to see you soon. The eagles are still so magnificent and really look healthy. Ken is also exploring if a nest cam would be feasible...you can imagine there is quite an expense as well as a lengthy permitting process. A well funded sponsor would be just perfect!