April 16 - 20, 2016

Made with love to honor my chat buddy, Robin Paul Wilson.
Video

4/16 - Chatters, Photographers, and lots of B3 Branch Buddies gathered at the nest today to enjoy the eagles and pay tribute to our friend, Rob. It was a warm and wonderful day, and I'm sure it's safe to say a good time was had by all.

Daily activities of our eagle family included Mom coming in the back door with a squirrel and B6 trying to eat it. After some feeble attempts, B6 looks to Mom for help, and she, of course, obliges and feeds both of the kids. B7 casts a pellet. Mom left and was back within 10 minutes with another squirrel, and 10 minutes later Dad arrives with a fish. Mom chattered at Dad like crazy, and he didn't stick around too long. Mom then feeds the kid fish. Early afternoon found the kids trying to move a stick. Mom brings in a fish at 4:38 p.m. She eats some herself and then feeds the kids, and then she gulps down the last of the fish. She took off out the back door at 5:17. Late evening found the kids basking in the sunlight. One resting and the other preening. Mom comes home with some grass at 8:31 and everyone settles in for the night. Video: Nest Day 

Live video footage taken by Bel: Mom Brings a Squirrel & Dad a Fish.

Photo by Gena Flanigen (4/16)

"Big Momma" photo by Tani Deaton (4/16)

4/17 - It was a travel day for many as people headed home after the wonderful week-end; some putting off their departure until the last possible minute. Bel's Nest Log reflects Mom left the nest and went to the left branch at 1:20 a.m., leaving the kids plenty of room to sleep. She took off in the morning at 6:56, and Jani reported that Mom came in the back door with fish at 11:00 a.m. D arrived about 15 minutes later with his own fish and left a couple minutes later. Mom took off at 1:12 p.m., and came back at 6:31 p.m. with another fish. She took off out the back door at 6:43 p.m., only to return at 7:22 p.m. with yet another fish! She left at 7:30 p.m.

Thermoregulating Photo by Gena Flanigen (4/18)

4/18 - Mom was in the tree until 1:46 a.m., at which point she joined the kids in the nest for several minutes. She went to the left branch at 1:53 a.m. where she stayed until leaving for the morning at 6:43 a.m. Dad flew in the front door with a small fish at 9:38 a.m., and left quickly, leaving the kids to fend for themselves with the fish. At 12:46 p.m., B6 moved big stick from the crook of the Y branch. M brought in a fish at 2:58 p.m. and fed the kids. She stayed for an hour and a half and then left out the back door. She returned at 8:23 p.m. for a minute and then took off out the back door. Video: Just Like Dad 

4/19 - It was quite the day as both kids mini-branched this morning. I say “mini-branched” because many observers will argue as to whether it was actual branching, so I’ll let you be the judge when you view the video. Video: I Believe I Can Fly

4/20 - Mom brings in an early morning fish and lets one of the B’s self-feed. One kid casts a pellet. While one kid eats, the other flaps around the nest until he finally gets the fish. He uses his talon to move it and then his beak. Mom brings in a UFO for dinner. One kid mantles and steals a chunk and the other steals the rest. Mom gets it back and eats a little herself, but she feeds the kids, too. The kids help Mom spread some grass. The kids do some hopping around the nest and branching later in the evening. Mom left the nest at 8:28 p.m.