12:53 - 1:05pm

A 12 minute marathon struggle for the fish that Mom had brought in at 11:40am

The two non- eaters got tired of waiting. One moved in to try to take the fish and the other moved in from the other side

A three way flurry of wings


The fish - withstanding being tugged in three directions


Chick on the back side, dropped back and watched the other two in what was literally a stale mate. Each had an end of the fish firmly gripped in a talon. They tugged until they collapsed. Rested - still gripping the fish - and tugged some more. Chick on the back took off, flew right back on but landed at the front rim. He stayed out of the fray. Picked up a few bits out of the nest sticks that had been dropped earlier.

At one point the original owner was so worn out - she literally splayed out over the nest bowl but did not release her grip on the fish.


Finally, the aggressor gave up and the original owner drug the fish to the back of the nest to eat under the ever watchful eyes of the siblings.

1:30 And after that is all sorted out 1 chick has the fish at 12. The sparkling water is really pretty....what a nice place for a nest (aside from the high tension wires, that is)



BET great pics of the squabble over food.

I am out for the rest of the afternoon...have a wedding to attend....happy day!

Lots of drama on the nest today from the sounds of it. Thanks for the commentary and pictures BET and Gerard.

1:49 pm
The trio are perched looking toward the river.


1:55 pm
The chicks are all stirred up about something they're watching. Must be another bird flying about that they don't like in their space.

Donna,

Enjoy your wedding. Yes, the Bow is a beautiful river, it just didn`t show its true self most of the summer due to all the snow and rain this spring. Thank goodness it cleared up just in time for Mom to secure all those fish for her youngsters.

We could have used another fish or two this morning though, what a fracas!
Glad that you caught that, BET, and were able to sort it out, thanks for the s`caps. I hope that the feather damage one chick seemed to suffer on her left wing is not too great, maybe just a misalignment.


I had not been on long before the fish fight broke out - thanks, McAfee - so missed the morning and thank you, Judy, Donna, JudyB, Gerard and BET for your posts and s`caps. There seems to be a truce in effect now at 1:50 pm as our eater rests with talons on her prize.

1:57 pm
Fish delivery.
The chick at 9:00 claimed the fish.


1:58
Mom flew off.
Hard to see in the shadows but it looks like one big thick fish that chick is protecting. I wish I could see it more clearly.


2:02 pm
Eating the fish at the 7:00 corner.
The chick at 5:00 eyes him up occasionally but is staying well away. The one at 1:00 isn't interested at all --- Is he the one that ate earlier ?


I am out again. BBL

1:57pm

Super Mom inbound with another fish


The loser of the marathon gets this one


Note the third chick has a displaced feather from his part in the marathon. Maybe we can keep track of him for awhile

2:29 pm The chick at 1 finally felt safe enough to get up and begin eating his fish, quickly followed by the owner of the first and largest fish at 7. Poor funny feather has none.
and has made no attempt to go after the others who are enjoying their meals at 2:40 pm.

2:45pm..........The same 2 lets continue to eat their food. The 3rd one looks like it is pretending to not notice that the others are there with food. With 2 fish in the nest maybe there will be enough leftovers for this 3rd little one! These chicks were out all night........kind of reminds me of older teenagers/young folk...........they always return home for the food! But they will soon need to learn the lesson of growing up..........they will have to provide for themselves eventually.



The chick at 7 is taking a break from eating...........but not giving up his food yet. Although as humans we would like to see the chicks sharing their food so that everyone gets some, it is good that they have developed strong instincts to protect their food. Good for future survival!! Boaters are passing by on the river.


:hello:Hello JD and anyone else who has visited today!