The 2021 nesting season has begun here at the local eagle's nest, and based upon recent activities (you know what I mean), we expect a clutch of eggs in the near future. Before we get immersed in 2021, just wanted to pay a little homage to our lone eaglet from the 2020 nesting season . . .

This Papa eagle is most likely a first-timer to this whole raising an eaglet thing (and Mama reminds him every now and then). Since becoming Mama's new mate last fall (she lost her previous mate spring of 2019), he's been doing pretty good, but needs to learn a few things . . .

June 20th is American Eagle Day, and this special day was established to commemorate the anniversary of the Bald Eagle's selection as our National Symbol in 1782, to celebrate its physical recovery in America's skies, and to observe the American values, ideals and attributes for which it stands. What a glorious and magnificent bird, and a perfect symbol of the United States of America.

Every now and then an eagle's nest needs a little refresh and upkeep, so while Papa was on the nest with the eaglets, Mama decided to bring back a branch to do her part for the task at hand.

A bald eagle gives "the stare" shortly after it takes off from its nest. Its mate was incubating the eggs, so it was probably off to the Fox River to grab the last meal for the evening. It won't be long now before the eggs hatch and there will be a new clutch of eaglets to take care of.

A bald eagle banks into the blustery southern wind on an early Spring day near the Fox River in northern Illinois.