On March 10, 2007 the first of three eaglets hatched in the nest at Norfolk Botanical Garden. On April 17, 2007 this chick and its two siblings were removed from the nest and fitted with US Geological Survey bands by Dr Bryan Watts, Libby Mojica and myself from The Center for Conservation Biology. The bands would be a means of identification if sometime in the future the eaglets would be seen, photographed, recaptured or found injured or dead.
On May 16, 2012 photographer Mike Inman did indeed get photographs of one of the three 2007 NBG eagles banded 0629-30511. The male is now a handsome eagle in full adult plumage. It was behind the Target store on Military Highway in Norfolk.
2007 photos copyright Reese F Lukei Jr, 2012 photos copyright Michael Inman
29 Comments
That is so exciting! NBG eagles sure seem to like the home territory. Who would think we would see an eagle from 2007 in the wild? Lots better than knowing where they were from injury or death!
If you could have only seen my reaction or heard my reaction, Reese when you posted the link on the moderated blog. lol
Outstanding! Such wonderful news. Congratulations Mike Inman! You have got to be grinning from ear to ear – you too, Reese! WOW, WOW, WOW!
How wonderful and touching to see this NBG eaglet grown into adulthood. Thank you, Mike Inman for finding and photographing this banded eagle, and thank you, Reese, for identifying it as one of “ours”. I am quite overcome.
WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great shot Mike & thanks for taking time to ID it Reese. What a handsome eagle.
How exciting! He/she sure hasn’t travelled very far from home!
Reese, a quick question because I can’t find it in my notes. The band belongs to the middle eaglet or the youngest from 2007? Thanks in advance.
Absolutely AWESOME!!! Way to go Mike Inman for finding the ’07 eagle and Reese for ID”ing it!
That is really amazing and incredibly good news that one of the eaglets from the 2007 NBG nest has made it to adulthood and been photographed so near to where he was born! Thanks to Mike for the photo and to you, Reese, for the ID!!
That is so amazing! I imagine both Mike and you, Reese, were so thrilled to see this adult male from the 2007 NBG nest. Wow! Wow! Wow!
WOOHOO…doing the happy dance
SO happy to know our NBG eaglets don’t seem go go too far away… like FAR away…. it’s exciting to see an adult male from 2007 NBG nest… Thanks Mike Inman, and Reese!! Happy heart, here! 🙂
Awesome…how so very exciting! I have such a huge grin on my face, I can just imagine what this means to you Mike, and Reese!
This is so so great!!!!! We now know that eaglets from 2007-2011 have made it so far. Awesome!!!! He really is a handsome one too! Thank you Mike and thank you Reese. I know this is another good note in your records. What a happy day in Eagle Land.
Oh how exciting, I started watching the cam in 2007. I saw this beautiful eagle as a bobble head, and to see him all grown up is just fantastic!!!
Love this, and I am so happy that these bands help us ID them and let us know that they like being in their natal area. “No place like home!” Thanks Mike and Reese!!!
Thanks Mike & Reese for the wonderful news & pictures.
Thank you so much! So exciting to see him all grown and looking so great!!
That is awesome news!! Great catch, Mike! Great ID, Reese!
Oh such a happy day for Reese and Mike. He sure is a handsome guy for sure!
I can’t stop smiling…what a coup for Mike and Reese both with such a remarkable sighting. WTG Mike!
Wow! This is awesome! I too started watching in 2007 and saw this handsome fella as a little bobble head. He has to be beautiful…just look who his mom and dad are!!! Thanks Mike and Reese!
That is so incredible!! What a beauty!!! I am so glad you captured him on film. It is good to know that he made it to adulthood.
I’m SO excited to hear this! How wonderful he looks! WTG, both Mike and Reese!
so happy for these continued sightings, id’s, photos, vids, information … awesome job, all! another happy heart.
That is so exciting!! I started watching the eagle cam in 2007, so I am thrilled to hear and see picture of one of the babies from that nesting year. What a great catch Mike and Reese. How special for you both!! Wonder how many others from the NBG nest are really in the area but haven’t been seen or photographed!! He is a beautiful eagle – just like his dad!!!
WOW!! How wonderful to see one of the 07′ ‘babies’ again! He looks just like his Father!! 🙂 Thank for getting that super photo Mike!!
I only began viewing the NBG nest last year, but what a joy to see one of Dad Norfolk’s offspring doing so well. Thank you all for sharing!!
Wonderful photo by Mike Inman. Must be wonderful for you, too, Reese to know that so many of the NBG offspring are still in this area. What a discovery!!!
I finally found this link and am so excited. I also started watchng NBG last year, but to see one of the offspring from from 2007 is so thrilling. What a beauty! Thank you Mr. Inman and Reese. Both of you should be smiling ear to ear with pride!