7:04 am
Mom arrives on the nest.


7:04 am
Dad arrives and a mating takes place. Dad then flew off leaving Mom standing on the nest.

10:00am MDT thereabouts

Mom and Dad were on the nest with the strange mitten between them. Dad left and Mom tried to move the thing out of the nest bowl. A 10 minute fight ensued. Mom moved it to the left, it rolled back down, she moved it to the right - no did not like it there, she moved it to the front, it rolled back down. She flew off, then returned and began the alligator fight again. This time she tried moving it to various places on the front edge - it rolled back down, she stepped on it, it stuck to her foot. That was the final straw, she flew off with it stuck to her foot. When she returned - no alligator to be seen


click twice for larger view

4:45pm MDT

Mom was just standing on the back rim of the nest when Dad flew in and landed on her to mate. Not sure if a mating occurred, but Mom threw him off







Dad flew off without ever landing on the nest.

FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010



6:00 AM
Alone on the nest.


out to work

May 7

The nest has been under attack at least three times today (I was gone for a bit so don't know if an attack occurred then) Thank heavens there are no eggs yet

First atttack at about 10:00am MDT Mom was on the nest and went into guard position. You can just see a bit of wing of the attacker in the upper left corner of third image

10:00 am attack cont'd.

Mom drops back down to nest and pivots keeping an eye on the intruder with wings out at the ready. Dad arrives and takes over the protection duty. Both circled the nest as they kept their eyes on the intruder. Dad took off again and Mom kept watching, but no camera view of the chase.

2:25pm MDT

Intruder returned. Dad, (I think, never got a good view of the front) was on the nest moving bits of material around. He dropped into defense/attack mode. Swiveled his body around - chattering the entire time (no, no sound, just the beak opening and closing). He lauched in attack posture and then gave chase. A bit of the chase was in the cam's view.

2:35pm MDt

Ten minutes later, Mom comes flying onto the nest assuming defense posture as she lands.



Dad follows, lands over Mom, who continues to keep watch. Dad postures, wings out for a minute



Dad Flies off