These two pictures are just to show the feather growth:
It was a super windy day at the nest today, at one point Mom was hunkered down taking a ride on the swaying nest:
And she spent some time today laying down with the chick -- which was probably easier on her leg:
Squirrel was on the menu again today.
Look at that big bite! (That bite is so big it is in the adult's and chick's beak at the same time in this s'cap.) The growing eaglet got it down easily though:
Mom Berry's left leg seems to stick out at a weird angle. I have noticed this before when she has her back to the camera. I guess the break didn't heal right. But, she doesn't seem bothered by it anymore. I just hope she continues to do well.
Excitement at the Two Harbors nest last night. (And let me mention that this is a great cam -- excellent picture and sound!) I had heard that there was a pip. So after I posted my blog yesterday, I went over there to check it out and Mom stood up for me! Half of the shell was gone and the baby was cheeping. You can see the broken edge of the shell right behind Mom's beak and the baby is still in the shell, visible to the right of her beak:
I think that's the baby's face almost in the center of this s'cap:
It was an exciting and long day for Mom and she is just dozing off here:
I checked in today and was greeted by fluffy eagle butt:
As soon as I took that s'cap, she started calling because she saw a fish delivery on the way. She must have been hungry because she jumped up and we can see the grey fluffy hatchling in the middle of the nest:
This chick is super active and strong for a new-born (new-hatch?)
It reared up tall and then turned in a circle looking for the adult:
After satisfying her own hunger, Mom brought the fish over and tried to feed the bobble-head. There's a reason they are called bobble-heads. Trying to feed a hatchling is an exercise in patience. A hatchling can't hold its head steady, so it's a moving target for the parent.
The baby is very interested in being fed:
Mom tries and tries to feed pieces to the baby, giving up each time and eating each piece herself before trying again.
And trying again:
And finally, success! The white sticking out at the end of the chick's beak is a piece of fish!
The baby is worn out after making such a huge effort to get a piece of food. After resting its head for 20-30 seconds, it raises its head back up and tries for another piece.
Here's a round-up of the other nests that have caught my fancy this year.
The Hays nest:
The Northeast Florida nest: Both chicks fledged a while ago, but they still return to the nest to get food deliveries from the parents and to rest, as one of them is doing here.
The Southwest Florida nest is on hatch watch. This youngster is branching regularly now. I think the big leap is coming soon... I tried to get a s'cap of this eaglet today during the daytime, but it was laying in the nest and its head was in shadow and the s'cap looked terrible. So, here's the youngster getting some rest after a big day of wingercizing and branching:
The White Rock nest:
So many nest cams... So little time...
There's a great post today about Bald Eagle HK on Pam Monahan's blog -- with an assist by Jim Yanello. I'm so glad he's able to help out. The Osprey pair have returned to Honey Bee...
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