HK is a male Bald Eagle who was hatched at the Norfolk Botanical Garden in 2009. The NBG Eagle Cam was watched by thousands of people worldwide, including me. I saw HK and his 2 siblings being fed by their parents, exercising their wings, and being banded at the nest via the eagle cam. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine coming face to face with HK only 2 years later, in the wild, in his natural habitat and territory.
On a cold November afternoon in 2011, I was reviewing some Bald Eagle photos I had taken earlier that day at Honey Bee Golf Course. I was very surprised to see that a young eagle I had photographed in flight was wearing both a silver and a purple band. This was a band I was familiar with from watching the eaglets banded at Norfolk Botanical Garden on the eagle cam two years earlier. I forwarded the photo to local expert Reese Lukei and waited. He confirmed that it was indeed an NBG banded “sub-adult.” Several weeks later, another photographer was able to capture a photo, read the purple band letters, and HK was officially identified.
The last 6 years I have faithfully visited Honey Bee and some other areas on the North Landing River. More often than not, I can locate HK somewhere. I have photographed him thousands of times. I share these observations on Facebook: Honey Beagles and More. I think I can safely say that HK is probably the most photographed Bald Eagle in the Tidewater area, and not just by me. He is often seen perched along S. Independence Blvd. in the Honey Bee area on transmission towers. It’s not unusual to see him literally stop traffic.
The single large disappointment I have experienced is HK’s failure to find a mate to share a beautiful nest with that he has built on the golf course. He has had the same long time companion for several years now, but this stunning female eagle has yet to lay eggs there. HK adds many sticks and grasses to it every year. There is much speculation whether this is an “alternate nest” or a golf course “condo.” And HK, his companion, and other eagles are often photographed there. But, the sad fact remains, no young eaglets have fledged from this now massive nest.
As ever, I am hopeful that the next year will bring HK a stunning, perfect mate. As for me, I will be quietly watching and clicking.
