Eagles and Nature with chris7: February 2013

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Videos from the Dedication of the Eagle Plaza

These are my videos that I took on October 15, 2011 when the Eagle Plaza was dedicated to Mom Norfolk.

Banners (0:16)
Dedication area (0:48) This is the field where the dedication was held. The crowd has already started to gather.
Eagle Kite (0:58) This is in the field where the dedication was held. I really like this! (I want one!)
Dedication part 1 (7:20) Donald R Buma, Norfolk Botanical Garden Executive Director, welcomes the eagle nation and introduces Steve Living, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Dedication part 2 (2:59) Donald R Buma introduces Tod A. Smith, WVEC-TV President & General Manager.
Dedication part 3 (6:40) Donald R Buma introduces Reese Lukei, Research Associate and Moderator from the Center for Consevation Biology at the College of William and Mary.
Dedication part 4 (3:52) Donald R Buma recognizes the mod squad, Tim Nuckols (Nuckols Tree Care), and Ed Clark (Wildlife Center of Virginia). He introduces Renee Wampler, Chair of Norfolk Botanical Garden Education Comittee to read a poem written by Poplar Halls Elementary School 5th graders Russell Bell, Lauryn Anderson-Davis, Kiara Gray, and Kahmile Whitby.
Dedication part 5 (2:19) Donald R Buma introduces David McDonald, who is providing an upgraded camera for the eagle cam: HD, wide angle, infrared, and with sound. He also recognizes Sherry Widmer's children's song: Norfolk Bald Eaglets Three. Then he introduced Holly Lamar, to perform her new single "Eagle."
Dedication part 6 (11:07) Holly Lamar makes some remarks before performing her new song "Eagle." During her remarks, an eagle flew overhead. Then she performs her new song.
Dedication part 7 (3:02) Donald R Buma points out where the eagle statues are throughout the garden. He then introduces Ann P Stokes, of Landscape Architects, who designed the eagle plaza. We are then invited to go over to the eagle plaza.
Reveal of the sculpture “Spilling the Wind” (1:50) This is the reveal of the sculpture, with MVK, congowings, Steve Living, Reese Lukei and Perry Mathewes doing the honors.
Eagle Tribute Plaza (1:32)
Nest and Sticks (0:36) (I know, another one of sticks. But I've included the nest in this one!)
Eagle People! (4:27) This is my favorite video from the day! I know I missed a lot of people. I remember a bunch of people that were there, but they aren’t on here. Sorry! But I’ll be out again at more events and I look forward to making part 2, and 3, and 4… And you can always come up to me to get your “spot” recorded!
Osprey (0:17) This osprey flew over the dedication area.
Flying in at sunset (0:16) The perfect ending to the perfect day! This was shot at 6:52PM and sunset was at 6:30PM. So, it was pretty dark!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Norfolk Botanical Garden pics from Transmitter Day, May 20, 2009

These are the pictures I took around the garden on the day that Azalea received her transmitter.

This was the first thing I saw on my way to the transmitter fitting. These 3 reminded me of our 3 eaglets -- all snuggled up together.

I like this pic because there are fish and a turtle and a little yellow flower growing under water.

I thought this was a dragonfly, but my brother-in-law called it something else because it's small. But I forget what he said. Since I was trying to take a pic when it landed on my hand, I will call it picture-interruptus.

Yes, there really are snakes in the garden. I was hoping all those other snake pics that have been posted were something the other photographers were making up.

What the flock?!?!?! Get out of the way so I can look at the roses...

These are garden beasties, a female and male. Commonly found around the eagle nest.
Dana and Henry just after catching what I'm sure are great shots of one of our resident BIF.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Azalea's Transmitter Placement May 20, 2009

I posted pictures and links to two videos from the day that Azalea was fitted with her transmitter. I am copying my forum post to my blog so it's not lost.

Azalea was hooded to keep her calm during the transmitter fitting. She is being passed from Libby Mojica to Dr Bryan Watts. Libby is responsible for fitting the transmitters on Bald Eagles.

She was surprisingly calm without the hood

Azalea's transmitter. She is being held by Dr Bryan Watts.

Another view of Azalea's transmitter.

Transmitter and look at those wings!!

The transmitter strap is fitted like a backpack.

Eaglet gives an exclusive interview

Azalea's profile

It was during the transmitter fitting that I realized that my little point-and-shoot could take video. So I tried it out and posted the following videos. The first part, I actually was holding my camera sideways (rookie mistake) and posted sideways video. Since then, I've gotten software that can rotate video, so it's not sideways any more... Here are the links:

Azalea Video part 1 (0:19)

Azalea Video part 2 (0:39)

Monday, February 25, 2013

Banding of HH (Azalea), HK, and HE April 22, 2009

This was my first post on the Norfolk Eagles Forum, and I'm copying it here because I want to preserve it. This was my first time seeing a Bald Eagle up close and I couldn't get over how big these "babies" were. I even referred to one as a monster -- a reference to size. These pictures were all taken with my little point-and-shoot. Here's the post:

The table was far away and my zoom was not up to snuff

And the crowd goes wild

One of the monsters (this is actually Azalea - and she was by far the biggest of the three)

The baby (this is HE -- the little sister)

Big size difference (Azalea on the left, HE on the right)

This band is HH (later named Azalea when she was fitted with a transmitter)

The solar powered transmitter will be fitted on one of the eaglets in May and will track its movements for a few years

The youngest, HE. You can just see her band.

l-r Dr Watts (HH-Azalea), Reese Lukei (HK), Stephen Living (HE)

The money shot: L-R Dr Bryan Watts with Sunday (HH -- Azalea), Reese Lukei with Saturday (HK), and Stephen Living with Wednesday (HE) -- up until this point, the eaglets were referred to by their hatch days.

Mom and Dad Norfolk as I was leaving

Sunday, February 24, 2013

off-topic

Totally off-topic: I spent over 6 hours today at the pool hall. My partner and I won the pool tournament and are going to Vegas in April to compete nationally. Woot! :) So, no post today...

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Comments

I found the problem with people not being able to leave comments. There was a setting. I think I fixed it! :)

NBG Nest Details From 2007 - 2012

The following details of the nesting seasons of the Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle nest are copied from the Norfolk Eagles Forum with Ann's permission.

Some of the links will stop working once the forum goes away.

2007 Nesting Season:

Norfolk Eagles 2007

DGIF Links:
Jan. 31, 2007 - First Egg
Feb. 2, 2007 - Second Egg
Feb. 7, 2007 - Third Egg
Apr. 17, 2007 - Eaglets Banded
Jun. 1, 2007 - 2 Oldest Eaglets Fledge
Jun. 2, 2007 - Making Up For Lost Time-Youngest Male Fledges (with a couple glitches)

2008 Nesting Season:

Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, 1st egg laid
Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, 2nd egg laid
Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, removal of the eggs after being abandoned
Sunday, Mar. 16 - 1st egg of second clutch
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2008 - 2nd egg of second clutch
Thursday, Mar. 20, 2008 - eggs broken
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2008 - 3rd egg of second clutch laid
Sunday, Apr. 27, 2008 - video clip confirming the hatching of our eaglet!
Thursday, May 22, 2008 - eaglet removed from nest for biopsy and examination video link/ he was then transferred to the Wildlife Center of Virginia
Saturday, July 12, 2008 - Eaglet undergoes surgery at Wildlife Center of Virginia

Amy Dagnall
Public Relations Manager
Norfolk Botanical Garden

Summary of 2008 Eagle Nesting Season at Norfolk Botanical Garden
2007
Sept. 2007 - Eagles bring first sticks to new nest tree.
Dec. 13, 2007 - Camera moved and infrared light added to new nest tree.
2008
January 2008 - New nest completed.
January 30 - Great horned owl visits nest at night-infrared allows views on Eagle Cam and photos to be taken.
February 1 - 1st egg laid.
February 4 - 2nd egg laid.
February 14 - Intruder female eagle disrupts incubation.
February 16 - Resident female eagle disappears – eggs not viable.
February 19 - Eggs removed from nest.
February 22 - Intruder female departs – NBG female returns unharmed.
March 16 - 1st egg of second clutch laid.
March 19 - 2nd egg of second clutch laid.
March 20 - Something agitates female - jumps up and break both eggs.
March 22 - 3rd egg of second clutch laid.
April 27 - The eaglet hatches.
May 17 - Growth noticed on eaglet’s beak.
May 22 - Eaglet removed from nest for examination and biopsy, then
transferred to the Wildlife Center of Virginia for biopsy and MRI.
May 27 - Biopsy reveals growth is viral Avian Pox – antibiotics, antifungal and immune booster treatment started. Adult eagles at NBG visit the nest less, but still are seen at the Garden.
May 31 - Growing lesion makes it difficult for eaglet to eat. Interferon
treatment starts.
June 10 - Mass is shrinking – plans for surgery continue.
July 7 - Surgery is scheduled for July 12.
July 9 - Lesion dries up and falls off.
July 12 - Surgery removes damaged tissue on inside and outside of beak.
Upper beak tip cut back because of crooked growing pattern. A brace is wired to lower beak.
July 17 - Eaglet develops crop infection. Loose brace is removed.
July 26 - Eaglet eating solid food again. Beak will continue to be shaped
to produce straighter growth.
August 11 - Test results show eaglet is a boy!
September - Adult eagles at NBG continue to visit the old nest tree.
October 22 - Pox lesion did not permanently scar the growth plate of the beak. Eaglet continues to eat well, grow and received bi-weekly beak
trims. Eaglet is moved to a larger flight pen.
November - Adult eagles at NBG begin to rebuild old nest.

More information about the 2008 Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle nesting season can be found by clicking the links on this page or visiting the websites of:
●WVEC Channel 13 - www.wvec.com/cams/eagle
●Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries - www.dgif.virginia.gov/eaglecam
●Wildlife Center of Virginia - www.wildlifecenter.org
● The Center for Conservation Biology - http://ccb.wm.edu

2009 Nesting Season:

2008
Week of Sept 14-19 - first reports of nestorations at "old" (2007) nest tree.
Dec. 10 - camera moved / eagles nestoring original nest
2009
Jan. 9 - first observed mating
Feb. 10 - The first egg of this season's brood was laid this afternoon at approximately 4:10 pm. VDGIF Blog
Feb. 13 - At approximately 5:05 pm on Friday Feb. 13th a second egg was laid at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. VDGIF Blog
Feb. 17 - Shortly after midnight the third egg of 2009 was laid. VDGIF Blog
Mar. 21 - 1st eaglet hatched between 12:00 and 12:30 pm (HK) VDGIF Blog
Mar. 22 - 2nd eaglet hatched about 8:48 am (HH-Azalea) VDGIF Blog
Mar. 25 - 3rd eaglet confirmed shortly after 9 a.m. (HE) VDGIF Blog
Apr. 22 - Eaglets Banded Norfolk Botanical Garden website
Youtube Video
VDGIF Blog
May 20 - Transmitter Placement - Nestling named Azalea VDGIF Blog
Norfolk Botanical Garden
May 27 - #1 HK observed branching VDGIF Blog
June 2 - #3 HE falls from the nest video clip
VDGIF Blog
June 3 - #1 HK First Flight! #3 HE renested HK fledge - HE renested - video clips
June 8 - #3 HE Fledges
June 13 - # 2 Azalea Fledges!CCB Blog
VDGIF Blog
July 20 - HK last seen at NBG
July 27 - HE last seen at NBG
Aug. 21 - Last Sighting of Azalea at NBG
Aug. 24 - WVEC Camera feed shut down for the 2009 nesting season

2010 Nesting Season:

2009
Sept 26 - reported sighting of nest work at both old (2004) and new (2008) nests
Dec. 11 - the NBG eagle cam camera was connected and a new infrared light was installed/email from Reese Lukei
2010
Jan. 5 - first observed mating reported by Reese Lukei
Jan. 13 - Live Cam Feed
Jan. 26 - Eagle pair return to the nest during the night for the first time prior to egg laying. Reese Lukei's Blog
Jan. 31 - First Egg 2:14 pm
Feb. 3 - Second Egg 11:50 am
Feb. 6 - Third Egg at 12:29
Mar. 11 - DGIF The First Egg Has Hatched ~ CCB First Hatchling March 11, 2010. ~ 1:10 pm
Mar. 13 ~ Second chick - official hatch time /CCB is midnight
Mar. 14 ~ Third Eaglet hatched - first sighting shortly after 09:00 am /CCB
Mar. 31 ~ 1 eaglet successfully banded (NC) - Dr Watts Letter
Apr. 19 ~ First self feeding for NC and #2 - CCB Blog
May 5 ~ Camellia (NC) named and transmittered YouTube vid. - the other two eaglets were banded - ND and NE
May 27 - Camellia Fledges at 8:09 p.m.
May 29 - ND fledges at 6:52 a.m.
May 31 - NE Fledges at 12:30 p.m.
Jun 13 - NE rescued from the canal
Jun 30 The camera has been shut down ending the 2010 nesting season

2011 Nesting Season:

2010
Sep. 26 - Photos of the nest shared by Duane Noblick show the eagles have brought fresh material to the nest. They haven't been observed working on it as yet.
Oct. 11 - Local photographers notice the eagles begin the construction of a possible new nest located behind and near the 2008 nest.
Dec. 29 - camera moved to the new nest tree
2011
Jan. 16 - First Mating? posted on CCB Blog
Jan. 18 - WVEC Live Cam feed begins
Feb. 3 - First egg at 14:49 ~ CCB Eagle Nest Blog - NBG video - VDGIF
Feb. 6 - second egg at 4:56 pm - CCB Eagle Nest Blog - WVEC Video - video link
Feb. 9 - Third egg laid at 5:55 pm - first sighting Feb. 11 at 08:57 - CCB Eagle Nest Blog - NBG - video link
Mar. 13 - First eaglet hatched - CCB Eagle Nest Blog - VDGIF - video link
Mar. 15 - Second eaglet hatches - CCB Eagle Nest Blog - video link
Mar. 17 - Third eaglet hatches - CCB Eagle Nest Blog - VDGIF
Apr. 21 - Banding Day - CCB Photos - Videos by WVEC NBG
#1 - NZ - female - 7.5 lbs
#2 - NX - female - 6.78 lbs
#3 - NV - male - 5.75 lbs
Apr. 26 - Female Struck By Plane
Apr. 27 - Eaglets Removed From Nest

2012 Nesting Season:

2011
Sep. 29, 2011 - NBG Eagle Pair 2011-12 Season!!!
Sep. 30, 2011 - Stick delivery to 2011 nest
Oct. 12, 2011 - First screen captures NBG Camera Turned On Today Oct 12
Oct. 15, 2011 - "Spilling The Wind" Eagle Sculpture Dedicated
Nov. 2011 - Three new cameras installed. Two cameras focus on the nest while one camera provides images of the beautiful area surrounding the nest
2012
Jan. 11, 2012 - VDGIF Blog: Eagle Found at Norfolk Botanical Garden (Eagle found dead on Jan. 6, 2012) - WVEC report
Jan. 19, 2012 - Dr Bryan Watts statement on 2 recent Eagle Deaths at Norfolk Botanical Garden
Jan. 21, 2012 - Replacement Female confirmed.
Jan. 22, 2012 - Live eagle cam test feed. Four videos that RFG posted: first, close-up of male, close-up of female, early afternoon
Jan. 24, 2012 - Live Cam Feed
Jan. 31, 2012 - VDGIF withdraws from the Eagle Cam partnership Mar. 11, 2012 - Fourth Female of the Season Accepted By Male

Friday, February 22, 2013

Bald Eagle sighting at 'Osprey Watch nest 307'

I am trying to get as much important information off of the Norfolk Eagles Forum before it goes away. So that will be the majority of my early posts. But I wanted to mention something that falls under ‘original content’ because it’s topical. The Center for Conservation Biology has a program called Osprey Watch. It’s a citizen scientist type program where people record their observations of local Osprey nests. There is a nest close to my house, nest 307. Someone else (Golf Tango) reported it before I did, so it’s not one of ‘my’ nests. But I can still record observations and post pictures for that nest. This evening shortly before 6:00PM I saw an adult Bald Eagle standing on the nest. When I drove by on my way back home 45 minutes later, it was gone. I wonder if this Bald Eagle is looking to take over this Osprey nest...

If you have an Osprey nest that you can observe, I encourage you to go to Osprey Watch and become a citizen scientist!

These are pictures that I took last year at nest 307. It is located on an old wooden pier that runs parallel to the bridge onto Langley Air Force Base at the N. King Street gate.

NBG nest Yearly Bald Eagle Stats 2007 - 2012

This is Ann's work, copied to my blog with her permission. Thanks Ann!

These are the dates for eggs laid, hatch dates, and fledge dates at the Norfolk Botanical Garden Bald Eagle nest.

(l) laid - (h) hatch - (f) fledge

2004 - 2
exact hatch dates not known - both fledged on May 31

2005 - 1
#1 (l) not known - (h) Mar 19 - (f) May 30 / 72 days

2006 - 3 (first season with live cam)
exact hatch and fledge dates not given - The eggs were laid on February 2-5, 2006. The three eggs hatched between March 12-16, 2006.
1st fledge June 1 - 2&3 on Jun 2 (source: DGIF)

2007 - 3
#1 (l) Jan 31 - (h) Mar 10 / 38 days - (f) Jun 1 / 83 days - female
#2 (l) Feb 3 - (h) Mar 13 / 38 days - (f) Jun 1 / 80 days - male
#3 (l) Feb 7 - (h) Mar 15 / 36 days - (f) Jun 2 / 79 days - male

2008 - 1
(l) Mar 22 - (h) Apr 27 / 36 days - eaglet removed from nest - male

2009 - 3
#1 (l) Feb 10 - (h) Mar 21 / 39 days - (f) Jun 3 / 74 days - male HK
#2 (l) Feb 13 - (h) Mar 22 / 37 days - (f) Jun 13 / 83 days - female HH (Azalea-transmittered)
#3 (l) Feb 17 - (h) Mar 25 / 36 days - (f) Jun 8 / 75 days - female HE

2010 - 3
#1 (l) Jan 31 - (h) Mar 11 / 39 days - (f) May 27 / 77 days - undetermined but thought to be male NC (Camellia-transmittered)
#2 (l) Feb 3 - (h) Mar 13 / 38 days - (f) May 29 / 77 days - male ND
#3 (l) Feb 6 - (h) Mar 14 / 36 days - (f) May 31 / 78 days - male NE

2011
# 1 (l) Feb. 3 - (h) Mar. 13 / 38 days -
# 2 (l) Feb. 6 - (h) Mar. 15 / 37 days -
# 3 (l) Feb. 9 - (h) Mar. 17 / 36 days -

2012
no eggs laid

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

My first post! An explanation and some links...

I created this blog because the Norfolk Eagles Forum is closing down. There are links and information there that I don't want to lose. And I want to be able to continue to post about the interesting things I find on the internet.

This first post is going to be mostly links that I've found in the past and had posted on the Forum. Here's what I've found that still works.

Pictorial guide to figuring the age of Bald Eagles

Pages of bird pictures I haven't been through all of these pages of pictures. But there are some real beauties in here. I did find one inappropriate pic, so you are forewarned.

Training for nest monitors in Iowa There is some really great info here for anyone that wants to observe or photograph Bald Eagles.

Someones idea of the 3 best national parks for seeing Bald Eagles.

Lawrence Lewis Jr Park on the James River

The SW FL eagle cam (Ozzie and Harriet)

Longevity Records of North American Birds This is a great web site! It gives the oldest ages that have been determined for North American birds. Very interesting. It covers how the age was determined, where the bird was, and if it was dead or alive.

Carolina Bird Club Eagle pics

Articles to read There are two articles here, so scroll down for the second article. Here's a quote, "If I see an eagle, and I've got a gun, I'm taking a shot at it."

Osprey fishing video This video is incredible!

Bald Eagle costume It looks fairly easy to make this costume.

Article of Bald Eagles using a man-made nest

Video (documentary) about restoring Bald Eagles to the Channel Islands

VIMS Osprey Cam They are putting in a new cam for 2013. The cam was taken out by lightening.

The Beauty of Pollination I don't know who Ted is, but this video is awesome!

Video of an owl flying at a camera I like the outstretched feet and talons at the end.

Collective nouns for birds How to refer to a bunch of birds: A mob of Emus. A scold of Jays. A clamor of Rooks.

Three Bald Eagles fight over a fish A story with 2 pictures.

Events at the James River National Wildlife Refuge There is a lot of wildlife at the refuge.

That's it for now. Thanks for looking!

Eagles and Nature with chris7