4:45 pm MDT

Well it had to have been an intruder - an opportunistic male. As our pair are comfortably standing together. They've both been chewing on the stick that is sticking up on the left side mid nest.

9:10pm

Mom on the nest and a rlver glowing in the evening light

Thanks, Bet. That is what I saw but it was so fast and like you say it looked like her new mate but I knew it couldn't have been. They have been guarding their nest all weekend and this morning against this "guy", I think, from the behaviour I have seen. Finally he caught Mom alone and seized his chance but he didn't figure on Supermom and her great skill and ferocity.

Great s'caps! It's 9:25 pm and Mom is on the nest where she has been since I put the cam up again just before 8 pm (save for two quick fly-offs, the first and longest down over the river at 8:54, returning at 9:05). Dad made several quick visits but hasn't returned since just before Mom's first foray.

Finally getting dark here, I love our late evenings but we could use a little more warmth, it's just above freezing and has been that way all day.

But of the four nests that I have up this is the only one without snow!

9:35 pm Mom standing at the back of her nest, so still that I had to check that the cam hadn't clunked out on me, lol. Then Mom took a few wee steps right, looks towards the riverbank and then the river. She is picking at the nest center now and sits there. I thought that Mom was going to leave but Dad has just flown in with a fish for her, amazing this late. Mom is off with her fish at 9:43 pm and Dad is on the right front of the nest. I think she has found the right fellow. And he's off.

Hi and Good Night JD

I read a post that you are about to cross the pond. When ? and how long will you be gone. No need to paint me green! I already am just thinking about it

This new Dad may be young and new to this mate business, but he is learning fast and well. I have been afraid to think it let alone print it, but so far his nesting material is all natural - we could say "organic" to use the current "in" terms. Not that I didn't enjoy the mittens and the bra and the jockey briefs, but the plastic!!!!!!!!!! no way.

Well, green is the right colour, Bet, as I leave on Sat. for Dublin, Ireland. I will join up with a birding group on the following Friday so should be fun and I'll see a good deal of the southern part of the Island. I must stop watching these cams though and get ready! So hard to pull away as it is fascinating to see the different personalities and abilities of all our birds. It will be interesting to see how the nests all work out. I do hope that the threats to this one abate soon, but realistically it is Prime Real-estate, and highly desired.

Good luck on keeping treasures out of the nest, Actually I hope it was all grass and sticks today but as it was getting dark I wondered about some ropey looking stuff on the nest. I hope that is just some of the wadded grass that Mom brought in earlier and perhaps unravelled.

Good Morning -- May 1, 2013 already !

Loved the scaps of Mom chasing off the intruder BET. Last year we worried about her being alone and now she's got more men coming around than we can keep track of.

JD -- birding in Ireland sounds like a dream vacation. I am

7:37 a.m.
Construction continues on the nest this morning. Dad has just come home from across the river.
The bowl looks ready for eggs any time now.



7:40 a.m.
Mom flew off and Dad decides to try out the bowl.


7:44 a.m.
Mom comes flying in with a new stick.

Good Morning Calgary....It's looking good! Now to keep the osprey looking for a home away - mom did a great job with that.
I hope y'all know that I am officially camping at this nest as I can also this year......it hooked me in last year and I seem stuck. in a good way.

JD.....enjoy! I will be thinking of you; knowing you are having a glorious time.
catch you later all...can't be here today.....
carolyn

Carolyn, you're always welcome to camp here with the rest of us campers. As much as I love eagles there is something special about osprey that has me hooked, and knowing the amazing job that one osprey can do to raise a family makes me a diehard Mom fan. I'm not sure if any eagle could have done a job that well.

8:49 am
Dad arrived and landed on Mom but no mating took place. Dad flew off immediately.


8:56 am
Dad arrives again and this time they did mate. He is definitely determined they'll have chicks