The forum is back up.

Here is the video I did not get to post yesterday evening.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/mo6TV2xlPPc

Nest Building Extras: "Grab-N-Go" & "Abort The Nest" 09-17-16

Harriet and M added 25 sticks in 1.5 hours this am. Quite a few times Harriet demonstrated "grab & go" as she flew from the nest and back, grabbing large branches without stopping. M15 created the new technique of "abort the nest" when Harriet landed with large sticks, as he dove effortlessly from the nest, flying for more sticks of his own. They worked hard arranging and shaping the sticks to work in the nest. The nest is getting higher and wider.

Harriet with a large stick


M15 flies just as Harriet is about to land


a little bonding

M15 and Harriet had a temporary delay in stick gathering this morning as the fog rolled in about an hour after they started. Although M brought the first stick, Harriet excelled and brought five to his four additions. Scaps of the nest are from this morning at 7:15am and after they added the sticks at 8:30am.

7:15am before sticks were added


8:30am after sticks were added

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/t-uBMsowL8k

Nine Sticks Added Before Fog Sets In 09-18-16

M15 and Harriet had a temporary delay in stick gathering this morning as the fog rolled in an hour after they started. Although M brought the first stick, Harriet excelled and brought five to his four additions. They placed a stick together without a "tug of stick" too.

Harriet adds a nice stick


a "nest" discussion


M15 with a large stick for the nest

GROUND OBSERVATIONS - Monday, September 19
(scaps and narrative courtesy of myself)

No early nest building this am. There were vocal exchanges of H & M in the nest tree, but neither went to the nest. Harriet left the nest tree first, flying high to the south and out of sight. M15 preened and watched the territory, flying the same path as Harriet 40 minutes later. Here are comparison scaps of the nest yesterday at 8:30am and today at 8:00am. Do I see the beginning of crib rails... or is it my imagination?

view of the nest 9-18 at 8:30am


view of the nest 9-19 at 8:00am

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/8Vd1bQzfiC4

Not A Building Morning~H Flies Early~Handsome M Stays To Guard 09-19-16

No nest building this am. Harriet and M15 exchanged vocals in the nest tree, but neither went to the nest. Harriet flew from the nest tree first, flying high to the south, out of sight. M15 preened and watched their territory before flying south. It was nice to observe M perched quietly, preening and tracking the skies.

7:05am: M15 tracking north just before Harriet flies south


7:45am: M15 tracking again to the SE


M15 launches to a higher branch before flying south

GROUND OBSERVATIONS - Tuesday, September 20
(scaps and narrative courtesy of myself)

6:00-9:00am Harriet and M15 preened and vocalized in the OCT (old cam tree)through 8am. As the pasture started being mowed, they both flew south, both returning shortly with sticks. 5 sticks in 20 minutes was the morning tally at 9am. During the stick deliveries, Harriet, and especially M15, watched as the mower worked under the nest tree and they flew to the west pasture. M15 did not stay there long and resumed adding more sticks. Harriet was still in a west pasture tree and M high in the nest tree branches when I left. "Sprucing up" the pasture and nest found man, machine and eagles all doing their own jobs in preparation for nesting season. Video later.

view of the nest 9-19 at 8:00am


view of the nest 9-20 at 9:00am


M15 and Harriet watchful as the area is mowed directly under the nest tree

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/e_Yg3eKRR6M

Watchful H & M Gather Sticks While The Pasture Is Mowed 09-20-16

Five sticks in 20 minutes was the morning tally at 9am. During the stick deliveries, Harriet, and especially M15, watched as the mower worked directly below the nest tree and they flew to the west pasture. M15 did not stay there long and resumed adding more sticks. Harriet was still in a west pasture tree and M high in the nest tree branches when I left. "Sprucing up" the pasture and nest found man, machine and eagles all doing their own jobs in preparation for nesting season.

M15 tracking to the SE


Harriet lands with a stick while M15 watches


M15 adds a nice stick

GROUND OBSERVATIONS - Wednesday, September 21
(scaps and narrative courtesy of myself)

Harriet and M15 added 19 sticks and M brought a nice clump of grasses in 2.5 hours this am. M saw roadkill alligator in the road, making four passes at it before I promptly removed and placed the roadkill far from the road. There are good views of branch breaking & grabbing, hang time, stick placement discussions and flights & landings for today's video.The nest looked wonderfully full and higher when I left at 10:00am.
Some scaps from my footage this am are on my Wskrsnwings FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/wskrsnwings/
I am not sure I will do any more photos. It will take me a while to edit my footage for the video I will post later today.

view of the nest 9-20 at 9:00am


view of the nest 9-21 at 10:00am


M15 flying to the nest with one of many sticks