I tromped through the snow on a 24F morning to find just a bit of an incubating eagle’s head peeking above the nest.  A second eagle was sitting in a tree perhaps 30 yards away. It was March 10, 2025. It had been a cold and snowy winter, and it had snowed lightly the night before.

After 90 minutes of absolutely no action, I collapsed my tripod and headed out.  Twenty-five yards down the path, I looked back and saw both eagles on the branch and a lot of wing flapping.  I dropped the tripod and started photographing.  I came within a minute of missing the copulation.

According to Chris Martin of NH Audubon, “Copulation continues but rapidly diminishes in frequency after incubation begins. ”

After mating, the male flew toward the nest and the nest exchange was completed.

The female remained to enjoy the warning morning.

Here are some of the copulations I have photographed.