8:19pm.........The eating chick continues to tear apart the fish. What a whopper Mom brought into the nest! She has done a fantastic job today and the chicks have eaten well. My heart goes out to her. I don't know if birds feel emotions such as loss or grieving, but she has had to adjust to losing a mate and still she has stepped up to the plate to fill Dad's big shoes! Sweet Mom!




Yes, Judy, I wonder where #3 is too. Maybe it has found its own food source. I'm sure it will be back when it is ready.

8:12pm

Here is the second chick flying in


As I searched for this Mom flew off. No sharing of the fish allowed by the current owner.

8:25pm.........Mom has left now and the eating continues. That fish is a generous size and surely there will be some left for the sibling. I too noticed that the chicks, and Mom, were having a wobbly time standing in the nest. I guess the wind must be picking up speed.



:hello:Nice s'cap BET of the 2nd chick coming in! And you can really see the size of that fish now!

8:32 pm
Still two on the nest.
The third chick can't be within sight of the nest or he would have certainly made an appearance by now. Their main goal in life at this age is eating.

8:33 pm
Another squabble over the fish but the chick isn't about to give it up yet.


8:37 pm
Chick eats and the other looks below the nest at the 7:00 corner.

I am out. Hope the other chick arrives soon.

I'm back -- had a phone call.

9:06 pm
Another attempt to steal the fish and the chick in possession is not cooperating.


I hate to think that something bad happened to our third chick but it's been two hours and dusk is setting in. Very unusual for any of them to be gone this late.

9:12 pm
The chick at mid nest is hanging his head like some poor little pathetic soul. I wish his sibling would share that fish with him.

I'm not sure what I see on the sandbar but it almost looks like two or three birds in silhouette on the far side

I just did a quick check through the archives. This time last year one out of three chicks spent the night at the nest and not all three would show up for meals. Maybe this is the beginning of their independence but I'd sure feel better if the other one would come home.

9:19 pm
The chick with the fish isn't eating but he has turned around with his meal. The other one watches.


9:23 pm
Chick at 3:00 are is almost upside down looking below the nest. I thin he is actually picking at a stick.



I am going to call it a night and hope by morning there are three on the nest.

10:10 Still no sign of the third chick but they are getting to that age where they will sleep off nest. Be safe baby! The chick with the fish is still holding on to it, saving it for morning I guess. The other chick was laying down but is up now and looks like it might try to sneak the fish away.

10:13 small poop shot from chick without fish, not much there.

I am off to bed now.