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Paula Sullivan | profile | all galleries >> George Washington Memorial Parkway Bald Eagles tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

George Washington Memorial Parkway Bald Eagles

There are 20 pairs of Bald Eagles nesting along the Potomac River. This gallery features one of those pairs. Sometime in December an adult female and a subadult male began construction of a nest in a cottonwood tree with a commanding view of the river. In January, the subadult was replaced by an adult male and the new pair continued work on the nest.

This gallery is arranged by month and will follow the progress of the nest. Clicking on the thumbnail for each month will open a sub-gallery of photos. Camera information is included below each photo. Those taken with my Sony DSC W55 were digiscoped; the others were taken using a Canon 40D with a 400 mm lens.
Bald Eagles 2010
:: Bald Eagles 2010 :: 		Bald Eagles in December 2009
:: Bald Eagles in December 2009 :: 		Bald Eagles in November 2009
:: Bald Eagles in November 2009 :: 		Bald Eagles in March 2009
:: Bald Eagles in March 2009 :: 		Bald Eagles in February 2009
:: Bald Eagles in February 2009 ::
Bald Eagles in January 2009
:: Bald Eagles in January 2009 :: 		Bald Eagles in December 2008
:: Bald Eagles in December 2008 ::

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Sabrina 05-Jan-2012 15:20
I had an amazing experience recently - halted in traffic, I looked over toward the river to the amazing sight of the female flying towards a tree not 15 feet from me, talons first, wings wide, and land on a branch looking my way. I was absolutely speechless. I look for the couple every morning and very often see them guarding their nest or flying slowly over the road. Never fails to give me chills! I call them George and Martha.
Guest 23-Dec-2011 13:26
Scott: I saw one this morning aroiund 0715 on drive down GW Parkway...about same place as Tim
Tim from DC 28-Apr-2011 00:31
I spotted the Bald Eagle nest, south bound on the George Washington Parkway, just passed where "Spout Run" merges into the GW. I've seen one eagle a few times since. A few weeks ago, the next day after a storm I haven't seen the nest. The trees have also filled in but does anyone know if the nest was lost or not? I was so excited to see the eagle on the parkway. I've also spotted a nest on 295 near the Naval Research Laboratory. Great to see Eagles thriving once again.
V 13-Mar-2011 21:44
March 13, 2011 Hiking today at Turkey Run and one of the Bald Eagles flew right over us -- Such a beautiful sight! I am pretty sure this must be the same eagle I saw a couple of weeks back when I too was stuck in the traffic driving in to DC in the morning rush hour on the GW Parkway. That day I was shocked when the eagle flew right over my car and up into the trees on the left side towards the river near Spout Run. As I rounded the corner and looked up, sure enough -- there was the nest! Love driving this road now, even in the traffic...
Sabrina & Glenn 21-Feb-2011 14:43
My husband and I are so excited to know that other folks know about the eagle(s)! I look for them every morning on my way to work and have had amazing views, including having "George" fly within 20 feet of my stopped (because of heavy traffic) car to perch on a nearby branch. Absolutely took my breath away! Thank you for sharing these amazing photographs.
Sabrina & Glenn 21-Feb-2011 14:43
My husband and I are so excited to know that other folks know about the eagle(s)! I look for them every morning on my way to work and have had amazing views, including having "George" fly within 20 feet of my stopped (because of heavy traffic) car to perch on a nearby branch. Absolutely took my breath away! Thank you for sharing these amazing photographs.
kestrel48 20-Jan-2011 19:13
The Bald Eagle pair is back at their nest january 2011 Ive been taking some incredible photos the past several weeks of the pair hunting together, perched at the nesting tree and generally hanging around.
Deac 09-Apr-2010 14:21
I have not seen the ones by Old Town and it appears a couple of other large birds are roosting there. Does nyone know what happened?
red-rider 17-Feb-2010 21:55
I was driving in to Old Town this morning and one of the eagles flew right over my car going to the tree with the nest.

Last year I saw them as many times driving to work as I did going home.
Leah 29-Jan-2010 14:36
I saw one fly to its nest on my way to work this morning, which prompted me to google "Bald eagle George Washington Parkway." Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful photos!
Eric 12-Nov-2009 04:16
They were there again in the later morning of 9 and10 November; but they were gone by lunchtime.
Donna 05-Nov-2009 16:48

We just returned from a lovely walk along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. And yes, we saw the eagles stationed at their nest. They then flew to a nearby tree and perched on its branches. Such majestic birds - they are like no other.
Eric 03-Nov-2009 05:53
On a trip up the Parkway into Old Town on Monday at 1000, one eagle. On my return at 1015, two eagles. They were gone by an 1130-1230 return trip. Out for lunch, just like me, I hope.
Carol K 15-Oct-2009 12:21
Woke up late on this rainy, cold dreary day. My day was much brightened when I looked up at the tree and saw our eagle. I have seen him periodically all summer as well. However, the thing that really brightened my day was that there were TWO eagles sitting in the tree. With the overcast, morning light, I could not see their markings, but there were very clearly two eagles there.
Sue 17-Aug-2009 15:47
I haven't seen the birds in a long time. Friday night around 6:30 the pair were finally back. I did not see them the rest of the weekend.
Sue 12-Jun-2009 15:50
Thank you for the update. I am definitely keeping my eye on your site and on those amazing birds. - Sue.
guest 08-Jun-2009 17:19
For those of you still keeping up w/ this nest site; the story is as follows. The adult eagles from Feb/March are gone. Mid April a subadult showed up and made occasional improvements to the nest. He (probably a male) is still around. Last week he was joined by another subadult (head almost white - a 4 yr old?), presumably female. I believe the subadult to be the original male from Dec. This coming Dec. we may get quite a show if 2 prs of eagles compete for the same nest site.
Sue 27-May-2009 13:46
And still there at 7:58 AM.
Carol K 27-May-2009 10:55
One of the Eagles was back at the nest at 6:22 am today.
Sue 23-May-2009 13:44
Yesterday, 5/22 at 4:08 pm we saw one eagle. It was our first siting and we were so excited! We went home, grabbed our binoculars, parked, and walked down the path. We watched this lone eagle until 5:30. The eagle never moved more than an inch or to turn its head. It was a lonely site and we hope the second eagle returns soon to continue this amazing story in our neighborhood. - Sue
Carol K 22-May-2009 11:03
I saw an eagle at 630 this morning.
Carol K 21-May-2009 02:10
I also drive the Parkway on the wayto work, and look for the eagles each day. This morning, about 6:15 I saw one back at the nest.
Guest 07-May-2009 21:07
I also saw an eagle sitting in the tree beside the nest just south of Alexandria today; very exciting after their absence these past few weeks. There are in fact three eagle nests off the parkway between Alexandria and Mt Vernon. Lets hope the other two more secluded ones are successful.
Taylor 07-May-2009 01:48
I look for the eagles everyday on my way to work, and I really get a kick out of them. I missed them last month, but I was excited to see one hanging out in the tree again yesterday and today! saw the osprey a few days ago too, but I feel more of a connection with the eagle buddies. These are great pictures!!!!
Carol 06-May-2009 04:06
I wish they had picked a more substantial tree.
Guest 03-May-2009 23:58
Yesterday and today i saw a lone eagle back at the nest - maybe they like it now that it has leaves and it's not so open
Guest 22-Apr-2009 21:43
I saw them Monday morning but not since and not for weeks before. Can anyone provide an update??
Carol 18-Apr-2009 01:54
I haven't seen the eagles all week!
Nathan Reed 16-Apr-2009 20:36
Why are their no pictures for April?
Roberta Chew 14-Apr-2009 22:33
Hi Pamela,
no postings for April? is it over?
Pam 19-Mar-2009 17:48
3-19: I saw 2 eagles this morning around 7:50 am...one on the branch near the nest, one in the nest...let's keep our fingers crossed all is well...thanks for the beautiful photos...Pam
Bob Pelkey 14-Mar-2009 01:50
Great study of the nest, Paula.
Mike Larsen 08-Mar-2009 16:09
During the winter months in Minnesota the Mississippi freezes and you can go to Red Wing MN and the park by the power plant has open water in a small bay from the power plant. At times there are more then 100 eagles golden and bald. They fish in the small bay and it is a sight to be hold.
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