We went to the National Arboretum on Saturday to view their extensive azalea display. Part of the grounds are closed to the public because of nesting bald eagles, which I thought would be inaccessible, so I foolishly didn’t bring a long lens. Well, we found one of the nests (there was a scope in place to view it through), and you could even see it with the naked eye. I tried to take some pictures, when suddenly there was all this screeching above our heads. Turned out a hawk was threatening the mother and eaglet, so the mother bald eagle took off in pursuit of it, and we all watched this aerial battle unfold. Finally, the hawk left and the mother returned to the nest.

See the next two pictures for the nest and the skirmish.

For a fascinating video of how one of the eaglets was recently rescued, go to http://www.eagles.org/dc4-rescue/ -- it's simply amazing and heartwarming.


Butterfly and flowers, Taketomi Island, posted earlier: