The nation’s capital appears to be in chaos at times. But that hasn’t stopped a pair of magnificent bald eagles from setting up housekeeping in a tulip poplar tree in the U.S. National Arboretum on the northeast edge of town just two miles from the U.S. Capitol. Their big, bristling nest measures five-by-six-feet, and it marks the first time eagles have nested in the immediate area since 1947.

The nonprofit American Eagle Foundation and the 444-acre federal facility have set up a pair of high-definition cameras above the nest of “Mr. President” and “The First Lady,” who are tending two eggs expected to hatch mid-March. The cameras are powered completely by a large mobile solar array designed and built by Alfred State College and the SUNY College of Technology.

The 24-hour cameras went live on Monday. Find them here: DCeaglecam.org.

The eagles, meanwhile, are being eagles - and appear to be dining well.

“There are about 50 species of fish in the Anacostia, some are minnows, alewives and other small fish but there are some like shad, bass, herring, warmouth, gar and American eel that they could catch. We know for sure they are eating catfish, most likely a bullhead type, and perch,” the official caretakers explain. “It was noted that the eagles may have been feeding on either a female ruddy duck or coot, there was also some herring or ring-billed gull primary feathers in the nest.”

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