My Last S'caps and Notes Of White-bellied Sea Eagle SE13

The last time I had posted s'caps of the White-bellied Sea Eagle before it died was on 9/4. And even though I'm still saddened by its passing, it's time to get back in the saddle. So, here's the rest of my s'caps that I had taken since the 4th.
On 9/5 during the overnight, you could see the growing baby is not quite covered by Mom.

I didn't get to see the baby when I checked in during their daylight hours since Mom was protecting it from another day of rain. You can see how well Mom's water-proofing is working -- the rain is beading and rolling off of her back.

I got a few good s'caps of the nest on 9/8. Zoomer gave us some nice close-ups. The pin feathers are clearly visible.

I think this is Mom.

It was very windy on 9/10. I got some family s'caps when Dad brought a fish to the nest and Mom was right on his heels to take it and feed the baby. I love this s'cap of the baby, taken right before Dad lands with the fish.

Mom came in right behind him.

She wanted that fish. There is a very definite provider role for the Dad at this nest. I don't have experience with Sea Eagles to know if that's a Sea Eagle trait or if it's particular to this nest/pair. I've observed that if Dad wants to eat something, he needs to get his fill before he brings it to the nest. Because Mom will keep him from getting anything that's in the nest. Here she is using her beak to take the fish from Dad.

This would be a great family s'cap if only the baby had been facing the cam. Drats!

Then on 9/11 I caught them awake early in the morning. I didn't know at the time that this would be my last day observing the little one.

An hour and a half later and the IR cam is off and we can see the nest in color.

I like this s'cap because the upper beak is shown against the lighter leaf in the background. The hook is starting to develop.

During an early morning nap, the baby was trying different sleeping positions. I didn't realize at the time that it may have been uncomfortable due to whatever caused its death.

 

Later in the morning, during a feeding attempt, the baby stood up. This is a milestone in its development.

Look at all of those pin feathers!

 A little later in the day I found the cam zoomed in again. I love close-ups!
 

Ut oh. I think we've been spotted!
 

It wasn't eating very well the last couple of days before it died. But it looks like it has a good sized crop here...

They zoomed in even more. They can get you right in there.

This is my last real-time s'cap from this nest. SE13 died five hours later.

I love seeing Mom's protective instincts. Watch this short video from 9/10 (their date).

This is the last collage for SE13. What a cutie-pie! Fly free little baby. Talons crossed for this nest for next year...

 

That's the last of what I have for SE13. I'll include the necropsy and toxicology results in a post once they are available.

 

I plan to start blogging more regularly again... Believe it or not, the Bald Eagle nesting season is getting ready to ramp up!