I Love My Job
Wednesday, June 26th was day 77 IF the Eagle chick hatched on April 10th. (April 20 days + May 31 days + June 26 days). If you remember, Wednesday when I was at the nest, the chick was quite content. However, I was there early in the morning and a lot can happen in a day of the life of a young eaglet. Friday when I returned, there was no sign of the chick. It was not hunkered down deep in the nest, nor was it on the rim or branching. It was gone. Emailing all my contacts that it was "an assumed fledge", this time there was no retraction. I was there for hours yet there was no sign of it.
Unfortunately Saturday our local weather forecast predicted severe thunderstorms, winds and hail due to the instability of high humidity and much colder air aloft. I did not go to the nest. However, Sunday, although storms were once again predicted, I knew if I arrived early, I could make it back home long before the storms rolled in. And that is just what happened.
My routine upon arrival is simple. Noting the time in (TI), the wind speed and direction, along with the temperature, as soon as I set up my camera, I take a shot. Regardless of activity, I take a shot, using it as a baseline. As you can see there was nothing. The nest was empty.
However, keeping my eyes on the nest while getting all my gear situated, I spotted the incoming fledgling.
Coming in from the SW, it landed on a branch to the right of the nest. Well concealed by the pine bough, it sat preening for nearly an hour (pretty standard) before exercising it's wings as the winds picked up and changed direction.
NOTE: The young Eagle will continue to return to the nest for food supplied by it's parents until they teach it how to fish and hunt. By the time the Fall arrives, the young Eagle will venture out on it's own. Only 50% of all successful fledglings make it to the age of five, which is when they are considered mature at which point they will mate and produce offspring. They always remember where they were born and may return to begin their own territory.
Unfortunately Saturday our local weather forecast predicted severe thunderstorms, winds and hail due to the instability of high humidity and much colder air aloft. I did not go to the nest. However, Sunday, although storms were once again predicted, I knew if I arrived early, I could make it back home long before the storms rolled in. And that is just what happened.
My routine upon arrival is simple. Noting the time in (TI), the wind speed and direction, along with the temperature, as soon as I set up my camera, I take a shot. Regardless of activity, I take a shot, using it as a baseline. As you can see there was nothing. The nest was empty.
However, keeping my eyes on the nest while getting all my gear situated, I spotted the incoming fledgling.
Coming in from the SW, it landed on a branch to the right of the nest. Well concealed by the pine bough, it sat preening for nearly an hour (pretty standard) before exercising it's wings as the winds picked up and changed direction.
NOTE: The young Eagle will continue to return to the nest for food supplied by it's parents until they teach it how to fish and hunt. By the time the Fall arrives, the young Eagle will venture out on it's own. Only 50% of all successful fledglings make it to the age of five, which is when they are considered mature at which point they will mate and produce offspring. They always remember where they were born and may return to begin their own territory.
just seeing, saying, and sharing...
I LOVE My Job
with you and those at
Comments
Thanks for making 'My Corner of the World' a success this week!