We enjoy watching a pair of ospreys that have built their nest in a cypress tree out on the lake, where they have spent their summers for the past several years.
By late autumn, the ospreys have migrated and the nest sits vacant, waiting for their return in the spring.
So, it was a surprise recently when we looked out and saw two black and white birds sitting snuggly in the nest. It was a pair of bald eagles making themselves very much at home in the osprey’s nest. One of the eagles had been hunting and had just returned with a small fish for its lunch.
“Houses are really quite odd things. They have almost no universally defining qualities: they can be of practically any shape, incorporate virtually any material, be of almost any size. Yet wherever we go in the world we recognize domesticity the moment we see it.” ~Bill Bryson
walking on a country road 
Seems like it might be kinda cramped for their eventual family!
It does appear to be a little tight for their needs.
That must be so exciting! The Bryson quote fits perfectly. 😉
It was a fun sighting. Thanks, Julie!
The ospreys are going to be disappointed! 😉
I’m hoping this eagle pair will move on before the ospreys return.
Well that is nervy! It is also awkward for when the Ospreys return. That’s too bad if the Osprey pair have to relocate, not only for them having to build a new nest, but for those who enjoy watching them at this location. That’s a fun quote to match the photos. 🙂
Thanks, Linda. Some of the eagles spend the winter here and migrate on. I’m hoping this is one of those pairs.
Yes, fingers crossed they are!
the photos are amazing. I feel sorry for the osprey though. They usually come back to the same nest every year. I remember Paul did a painting over time of a family of them as they built or added on to the nest and raised their family until left the nest in autumn. They won’t be happy.
I’m hoping the nest will be vacant by the time they return. The ospreys seem to handle the summer tourist activity in this busy area well. I remember seeing Paul’s painting of the osprey nest. He captured the scene beautifully.
there goes the neighbourhood!
🙂 🙂 Hoping this was temporary and they vacate the nest before the ospreys return.