This pair of bald eagles are a familiar sight at the Bear Trace golf course at Harrison Bay in Tennessee. They arrived at the end of 2010 and since 2012 have been the stars of the club's Eagle Cam. Two eaglets hatched in March and can be <a target="_blank" target="_blank">watched online</a> round the clock.
Eagles guaranteed at Tennessee golf club —
This pair of bald eagles are a familiar sight at the Bear Trace golf course at Harrison Bay in Tennessee. They arrived at the end of 2010 and since 2012 have been the stars of the club's Eagle Cam. Two eaglets hatched in March and can be watched online round the clock.
Courtesy of The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay
The pair were christened Elliott (right) and Eloise by the daughter of course superintendent Paul Carter. Females are roughly 20% bigger than males, according to <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife</a>.
Eagles guaranteed at Tennessee golf club —
The pair were christened Elliott (right) and Eloise by the daughter of course superintendent Paul Carter. Females are roughly 20% bigger than males, according to Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife.
Copyright Bret Douglas
The pair's nest can be found behind the 10th green in a 125-foot (38-meter) pine tree.
Eagles guaranteed at Tennessee golf club —
The pair's nest can be found behind the 10th green in a 125-foot (38-meter) pine tree.
Copyright Bret Douglas
Carter says the nest is about 8.5 feet wide and about five feet deep. "They've pretty big! When you've got a couple of adults and some food and two eagles, you've got to have some room," he explains.
Eagles guaranteed at Tennessee golf club —
Carter says the nest is about 8.5 feet wide and about five feet deep. "They've pretty big! When you've got a couple of adults and some food and two eagles, you've got to have some room," he explains.
Copyright Bret Douglas
The bald eagle has a distinctive plumage -- white head and tail -- with a yellow beak and feet. As of 2012, there were more than 175 nesting pairs of bald eagles in Tennessee, according to Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife.
Eagles guaranteed at Tennessee golf club —
The bald eagle has a distinctive plumage -- white head and tail -- with a yellow beak and feet. As of 2012, there were more than 175 nesting pairs of bald eagles in Tennessee, according to Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife.
Copyright Bret Douglas
Bald eagle numbers declined during from the 1950s to the mid-1970s due to the use of a pesticide called DDT which affected the birds' ability to reproduce. <a target="_blank" target="_blank">DDT was banned in the U.S. in the early 1970s</a> and since, populations have recovered.
Eagles guaranteed at Tennessee golf club —
Bald eagle numbers declined during from the 1950s to the mid-1970s due to the use of a pesticide called DDT which affected the birds' ability to reproduce. DDT was banned in the U.S. in the early 1970s and since, populations have recovered.
Copyright Bret Douglas
The bald eagles may be the star attraction at Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, but other wildlife is also flourishing, like these deer. "We are trying to show that golf courses can be a sustainable habitat for wildlife," Carter says.
Eagles guaranteed at Tennessee golf club —
The bald eagles may be the star attraction at Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, but other wildlife is also flourishing, like these deer. "We are trying to show that golf courses can be a sustainable habitat for wildlife," Carter says.
Courtesy of The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay
In addition to measures that protect wildlife populations, Carter has overseen a program which has reduced the amount of mowing and water use. He estimates that in the last decade, the course has returned 50 acres to a more natural state, saving over seven million gallons of water annually.
Eagles guaranteed at Tennessee golf club —
In addition to measures that protect wildlife populations, Carter has overseen a program which has reduced the amount of mowing and water use. He estimates that in the last decade, the course has returned 50 acres to a more natural state, saving over seven million gallons of water annually.
Copyright Bret Douglas
The club has also introduced native planting beds. Carter has been recognized for his environmental efforts with several awards in recent years, including the 2013 Environmental Leaders in Golf Award. <br />
Eagles guaranteed at Tennessee golf club —
The club has also introduced native planting beds. Carter has been recognized for his environmental efforts with several awards in recent years, including the 2013 Environmental Leaders in Golf Award.
Copyright Bret Douglas
The changes haven't affected the quality of the golf on offer at the course, which was designed by one of the game's legends, Jack Nicklaus.
Eagles guaranteed at Tennessee golf club —
The changes haven't affected the quality of the golf on offer at the course, which was designed by one of the game's legends, Jack Nicklaus.
Copyright Bret Douglas
Conservation efforts even extend to the green-keeping tools, with electric-powered lawnmowers being used by Carter and his staff.
Eagles guaranteed at Tennessee golf club —
Conservation efforts even extend to the green-keeping tools, with electric-powered lawnmowers being used by Carter and his staff.
Courtesy of The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay