Berry College Bald Eagle Day 67 (Branching Milestone Today!), Nest Cam Round-up: Hays, Loch of the Lowes, Two Harbors, and White Rock, Bald Eagle NX Checked In, Norfolk Mayor and City Council Elections On May 6th, Eagle On Alliance Sale of Dad Norfolk Logo Items

Today is day 67 for the Berry College Bald Eagle and... It's Branch day!!! This is another step in the development of an eaglet. I didn't get s'caps of the first branching because I was away from my computer. But here's a link to a video of the big event. I did get s'caps of the eaglet branching later in the day. Here's my s'caps for the day. The eaglet spent the major part of the day off-cam...

 

...bending down here to self-feed.

The eaglet did finally make an appearance for me.

The eaglet did some feaking. (I saw it feaking for the first time yesterday. Nothing like a clean, sharp beak!)

Then there was some wingercizing. Such a fun time to watch a nest!

The eaglet then thought about the situation some.

 And then hopped onto the branch again. This was the first time I got to see the eaglet branching.

The eaglet didn't stay there long. When I finished saving this s'cap, the eaglet was back down in the nest.

There was a lot of stretching and flapping today.

And there was more standing around.

 And some more feaking.

I love this picture! It could be more clear, but I love how the wing is stretched out to the cam.

More standing around.

Then something caught the eaglet's attention. I don't know what it was, but the eaglet stayed like this for a while.

The eaglet has a habit of stretching first one side, and then the other.

That's when you know more wingercizing is coming!

I brought up the Hays nest to an interesting scene. The eaglets are spread out pretty equally, with one facing away from the parent with the food. I've seen eaglets that are old enough to self-feed turn away from the sibling that claimed the food. It's as if they don't even want to watch.

The two closest to the parent were being fed. Look at the crop on the eaglet on the left side.

Then the parent spotted something above the nest. After looking at it for a few seconds, it flew away. It was probably a raptor that needed to be chased out of the territory.

Much to my surprise, one of the eaglet stood up! I haven't been paying attention -- how old are these chicks? (I have since checked. They are 33, 31, and 28 days old. And how old was the Berry chick when it first stood up? The first day I saw it stand up was day 35.)

Then (pick my jaw up off of the ground) another of the chicks stood up. And then one just starts walking around like no big deal! I am going to guess that the two older chicks are males. Males develop faster than females because their full-grown size is smaller.

Look at those tail feathers coming in!

Here's a look at the baby with a fat crop. No worries, they are getting plenty to eat...

Later in the evening it's raining, with Mom trying to keep her babies dry.

I had a minute to bring up the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of the Lowes Osprey cam. I was happy to see both on the nest, but can't say who is who...

I was hoping to see a shift change. Instead, the one standing flew away. But the incubating adult did raise up a little and I got to see two of the eggs.

The Two Harbors cam is frozen, showing the baby snuggled up in front of one of the adults.

One of the White Rock chicks has escaped from the nest bowl!

And gets sat on... Baby, "Hello. Did you forget that I'm back here?" Parent, "Didn't forget. Keeping you both warm!"

I checked on some other nests and when I came back, both chicks were in the nest bowl.

 And when I came back again later, Mom was just settling on the chick, facing the wrong direction. Still pretty from the wide angle cam and from close up...

 Bald Eagle NX checked in. She is sticking to familiar territory.

It's the event we have all been waiting for! Norfolk's Mayor Paul Fraim is up for reelection. This is the man who is responsible for the mistreatment of Bald Eagle Dad Norfolk and his girlfriend Dirty Tail. If you are a Norfolk resident, please vote on May 6th and get rid of Fraim! Please also support Tommy Smigiel (Ward 5), who is up for reelection. He is the only person on the Norfolk City Council that wanted to leave Dad Norfolk and Dirty Tail alone and take appropriate action at the airport to mitigate the risk of wildlife at the airport. The rest of the Norfolk City Council fell into line behind Fraim, who chose politics over safety. I could get behind cleaning house in Norfolk, with the exception of Tommy Smigiel. Too bad only one other incumbent is up for reelection: Paul Riddick (Ward 4). His seat is challenged by G.W. "Billy" Cook Jr. Please vote for Billy!

To summarize, here's who to vote for on May 6th if you want to increase safety at the Norfolk airport and have a hope of Bald Eagles Dad Norfolk and Dirty Tail being left alone:
Ward 4: Billy Cook
Ward 5: Tommy Smigiel
Mayor: Jane Bethel or Michael Muhammad

Eagle On Alliance (EAO) is doing some fund-raising by selling items with a logo of Dad Norfolk. Eagle On Alliance is doing great work, trying to get the city of Norfolk to take action at the airport and leave Dad Norfolk and Dirty Tail alone. Here's a link to the page that has the items for sale. (I am not affiliated with EAO and do not benefit from sales of these items.)

Bald Eagles Dad Norfolk and DT (Dirty Tail) Are Safe, Bald Eagle Camellia Checked In

I don't usually do two posts in one day, but I've got such good news out of Norfolk! Dad Norfolk and his mate DT have been seen together since a Bald Eagle was killed recently at the Norfolk International Airport. Although I am saddened that an eagle was killed once again due to the city and airport's negligence, I am happy that it was not Dad Norfolk or DT. I wonder if Norfolk's Mayor Fraim and his accomplices on the City Council are going to continue the (obviously) ineffective practice of harassing Dad Norfolk and DT while they are on Norfolk Botanical Garden property or if they are going to pry their heads out of their butts and do something that works. Maybe this eagle's death wasn't for nothing. Maybe it will bring about necessary change in the way they are trying to mitigate the risk presented by wildlife. At the very least, I hope they get the maximum fine for the illegal take of a Bald Eagle! Please, please, please, if you live in the city of Norfolk, vote them out of office (everyone except Tommy Smigiel.) Mayor Fraim and the inept members of his City Council need to go!

Bald Eagle Camellia has checked in. I'd think that we should be able to soon see a pattern that indicates where he will build a nest...

Another Bald Eagle Was Struck And Killed At The Norfolk International Airport, Snowy Day At The Berry College Bald Eagle Nest

The Virginian Pilot is reporting that a Bald Eagle was struck and killed at the Norfolk Airport today. Other news sources are reporting the same -- all reports lack details. Air Wisconsin strikes again. What is wrong with those pilots that they can't see a huge bird on the runway and not land on top of it? Praying it wasn't Dad Norfolk or DT. Thank goodness the City of Norfolk was busy keeping them out of the Norfolk Botanical Garden. The flying public and the Bald Eagles are so much safer... I wonder now if the Norfolk City Council and Mayor Fraim will see the folly of their plan to drive the Bald Eagles out of the garden as a means to prevent Bald Eagle strikes at the airport? Bunch of idiots... (except Tommy Smigiel.) I never wanted to be able to say, "I told you so."

Today was an interesting day at the Berry College Bald Eagle Nest. Their feathers provide so much insulation that the snow doesn't melt. It just piles up until she moves. And she stays warm and dry.

 
Eventually, she eased up off of the eggs.

Scratched that itch:

Did an egg roll:

Showed off her eggs to the camera:

Then she turned to face the opposite direction, here she is just laying back down. She's got her beak buried in the nesting material and is shimmying back and forth, settling back down with her brood patch on the eggs.

She is settled here, but looks uncomfortable with her butt in the air on top of the snow. She never did shed a big chunk of snow from the middle of her back. But the thin layer of snow is new accumulation since she laid back down.

It wasn't long before she turned back around.

I'm not sure why, but she stood up and shook off all of the snow.

Then she settled back down. Every eagle I've ever seen settle down to incubate eggs digs their beak into the nest to act as an anchor while shimmying back and forth.

She came up with her beak covered in snow.

This all took place over the course of an hour...

Berry College Bale Eagle Nest, Osprey Sighting, Norfolk International Airport Is Added As A Defendent In EAO's Lawsuit

Here's my s'cap from today from the Berry College Bald Eagle nest. She looks like she is laying pretty loose, must be a warm night. If it was cold out, she'd have her wings in close. If she were to lay a third egg, it will happen tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

I saw an Osprey yesterday. A little early in the year for Osprey to be here. But, that's what it was...

Eagle On Alliance has added the Norfolk International Airport as a defendant in their lawsuit. Good! If the airport had done any kind of job of mitigating the threat of wildlife at the airport, Mom Norfolk would not have been struck and killed by a plane. The airport is negligent and Norfolk's City Council and Mayor Fraim are letting them get away with it by trying to mitigate the threat with nest removal and harassment of the eagles at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. This entire situation is just sickening. I will never spend another dime in Norfolk.

I'm heading to Chincoteague tomorrow to see if I can spot a Snowy Owl. Wish me luck!

Removal Of Bald Eagle Nest At The Norfolk Botanical Garden -- More Details

The Pilot Online has an article about the recent removal of the Bald Eagle nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG). This was the eighth nest removal. There is a poll with the article (on the left below the related links) asking if Norfolk should continue with the nest removal. Last night, it was at 90% for no. Today, it's up to 93% for no. (That's with 6% for yes and 1% not sure.) I don't think that the Norfolk officials are going to listen though. It seems that there are fragile egos at play. There is no reason other than pride for the Mayor and the City Council to continue with this stupidity. Hey, Norfolk officials, I'm talking to you: Set aside your pride, listen to the experts, and control the problem by intensifying efforts at the airport.

The article talks about how much membership and revenue are down at NBG. I let my membership lapse but never provided a reason why. I'm sure it's more than 8% of people that left NBG because of the treatment of the Bald Eagles.

I will not spend any money in Norfolk as long as this mistreatment of Dad Norfolk and DT continues. I refuse to pay any sales taxes to Norfolk. I use the airport in Newport News instead of Norfolk. (And that's for safety reasons as well, since I don't consider the Norfolk airport to be safe since they don't mitigate the risk of all wildlife at the airport. Just this Band-Aid to make it appear like they are doing something.) If you haven't watched my video showing all of the birds that are on Lake Whitehurst (the body of water that separates the airport from NBG), please check it out. I originally shot this video just because it's nature. But it really shows the extent of the problem.

Please support the Bald Eagles and push for safety at the airport for all concerned. I recommend that you not spend any money in Norfolk and if you are a city resident, vote out the guilty parties. (Keep in mind that Tommy Smigiel is on the City Council and is in favor of leaving the eagles alone and fixing the problem at the airport. So, don't vote him out!)

The Norfolk Botanical Garden Bald Eagle Nest Is Torn Down Again, Bald Eagles NX and KE's Locations, Northeast Florida Eagle Cam on Pip/Hatch Watch, Converting Algae to Crude Oil, Multivitamins, Penguins Staying Warm, Threat to Habitat of African Lesser Flamingos

Bald Eagle Dad Norfolk's nest has been torn down again by the USDA under a permit issued to the City of Norfolk. These people want to go to the expense as few times as possible. So, what they do, is they wait until a nest is almost finished and then tear it down. The Bald Eagles will never stop trying to follow nature's imperative to reproduce. The idiots on Norfolk's city council might as well shake their fists at the sky when it rains. Idiots. The mayor too. Thomas Smigiel is the only one with a brain on the city council. It's just heartbreaking to know that this has happened again. These people, besides being incredibly stupid, are heartless and cruel. Just because you can exert your will over weaker animals doesn't mean that you should. And these people have to ignore the advice of experts to continue along this path that they have chosen. If you live in Norfolk, please vote them out!

Bald Eagle NX has finally checked in! She is near her release site. And there is an update for Bald Eagle KE as well.

The Northeast Florida Eagle Cam Bald Eagle nest is on pip/hatch watch. The Southwest Florida nest is 3 days later.

I've mentioned before how much we need to get away from foreign oil. I came across this article today about converting algae into crude oil. How awesome is that?

I take multivitamins. I think it's beneficial. But, maybe it's not...

Penguins huddle up to stay warm. Watch the video to see how the group moves as one.

African Lesser Flamingos habitat is threatened by development.

SW FL Eaglets fledge, Rhoda and Duane post new pics, rant about Norfolk City Council, Feathered Photography, Duke Farms cam, Sooner Lake cam

The SW FL Eaglets had a big day. They both fledged this morning! They are doing fine -- they both returned to the nest later in the day for some food. One is sleeping in the nest right now. Congratulations to the SW FL Eagles!

Rhoda Gerig posted some new Bald Eagle pictures on her site. I don't see an explanation, so I'm not sure if this is one of the Eagles from the nest that she watches...


Duane has posted some new pictures on his site. Some backyard birds, Osprey and Bald Eagle pics. The Norfolk Eagles are still trying to build a nest. I appreciate Duane bringing us the pictures!

And since we are on the subject of the Norfolk Eagles, I'm going to proceed with a rant right now: I think that the city of Norfolk is subjecting these Eagles to cruel and inhumane treatment. Shame on them. They have continually allowed these Eagles to build a new nest, only to tear it down. I hope that they do not cause this pair to break up. Their bond has not been strengthened by raising a brood of eaglets. I am worried that this second year of failure will cause them to seek new mates. The people responsible for this are the Norfolk City Council and the Norfolk City Manager. If you live in Norfolk, please vote these people out:

• Norfolk City Manager Marcus D Jones
• Mayor Paul D Fraim
• Andrew A Protogyrou
• Theresa W Whibley
• Anthony L Burfoot
• Paul R Riddick
• Barclay Winn
• Angelia Williams

The person most responsible for this idiotic mis-treatment of the Norfolk Eagles is the Norfolk City Manager, Marcus D Jones. Please give him the boot. He decided single-handedly that the Eagles should be removed from the garden. The City Council backed him, but it was Jones' decision. The only voice of reason is Councilman Tomas R Smigiel, Jr. He asked repeatedly to take time to study the situation and come up with a plan that makes sense. Please support him! And give the rest the boot!

On Ron Dudley's blog, Feathered Photography, he has a post today about fighting Short-eared Owls. He's got some interesting pictures of two males fighting over a female. I love the second to last picture of the series!

A nest cam at Duke Farms has captured video of a Hawk attacking a Bald Eagle sitting on a nest, incubating eggs/babies (no way to tell which). The Bald Eagle jumped up and took down that hawk so fast. But the Hawk didn't die right away. In fact, I'm worried that the Eagle may have been injured. He stands on the Hawk for a long time, reaching down pulling with his beak. Hawks also have hooked beaks and sharp talons. I fear that the Hawk may have had a good hold on the Eagle. Eventually, the Hawk was served as dinner. But I think he had ahold of the Eagle for a while... At least for as long as the Eagle was reaching down with it's beak and pulling. I think he was trying to get the Hawk to let go. The first time I watched this video, I was wondering why it was going on and on. Then I realized that they were probably at a stalemate for a while. Then at some point, I think the Hawk finally died and he started plucking it. That's when he starts having feathers stuck to his beak. Hopefully, the Eagle is ok. I can't imagine what the Hawk was thinking, coming after a Bald Eagle... Anyway, there are 3 parts posted, with a 12 minute break between part 1 and part 2 where the eagle just lays and pants. In fact, you can skip the first 3 minutes of part 2… Then Part 3 is when Mom comes home and finds the mess that Dad made! All this happened with eggs/babies in the nest. So, there’s been some worry. The camera angle doesn’t allow you to see into the nest bowl. But this happened right when hatching was expected. And one of the adults resumed incubating after things settled down. Then it looked like feeding was happening later in the day. So, maybe it worked out ok…

The fourth Sooner Lake eaglet has hatched. It is a very long process, when the eaglet struggles to get out of the shell. It seems that the eaglet got out of the shell, but hasn't moved since hatching. I'm going to wait until we see what tomorrow brings before I agree that the fourth hatch didn't make it. Sometimes, they just need to rest for a while after hatching...