I just came down from the bluff about 2 hours ago. I went to see how my friends the eagles were doing. Each year I have done these pictures, I have learned so much from these amazing birds. Due to health issues, I was only there 1 time last year. Before I started this series, I would not have thought that a wild eagle would remember an individual person. After today, I am quite sure that they do. I have heard from other people that have photographed these eagles that they do not understand how I can get the pictures of the parent on or at the nest. I have always just approached the area in plain sight and been very open about my movements. After the first several visits 9 years ago, the parent would fly off the nest for only a very few minutes 4 or so, fuss a little and then come back to the nest. Today is the first visit in a full year. The parent flew to a nearby tree and perched to watch me. She fussed for several minutes, and then became quite. She watched me very intently for a minute or so, then flew me over twice and landed back at the nest. She settled herself and looked at me while chattering away. She then settled like she always had over the last years and just watched me watching her. If I clicked the shutter, or moved the tripod, she would just cock her head as to ask "What are you doing now?". This is the behavior I saw from her over the last 9 years. I believe that not only did she remember me, she also greeted me with the fly-overs. This was a completely new behavior from her. She did not do this in a threatening way, but as if greeting me. It was as if she was saying "Oh, It's you! Where have you been? Did you see my eggs? I have two!" As far as I know, I have the only pictures of her at the nest. Never in my life would I have thought I would have an eagle as a friend.