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Here's the links to the flicker pics and tumbler pages:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157632891366006
http://usfwspacific.tumblr.com/
Posted : December 21, 2014 6:33 pm
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G'morning Ornithology fans:
We have an eaglet who hatched last night! Waiting for the sibling now.
Swan
http://www.eagles.org/Cams/FloridaNest.html
Posted : December 23, 2014 1:01 pm
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The feeding of the 1st Eaglet (a close-up peek) called NE3. The Eaglet is also given antibodies from the mother through her saliva. Interesting, yes?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g32ZO0I_8U&feature=youtu.be
Posted : December 23, 2014 8:59 pm
Sweet.
Posted : December 25, 2014 6:40 pm
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Deleted. see below.
Posted : December 25, 2014 8:10 pm
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Yes, they are sweet. The sibling,NE 4, has hatched this afternoon. Please see the AEF Website. Merry Christmas to all and to our Eagle family in NE Florida!
Swan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN2AZjjKK5E&list=UUoQVPz5blWSgc6GjYkDLVAw
Edited to add video.
Posted : December 25, 2014 8:23 pm
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Update on our two, little, snuggled up eaglet puffs in NE Florida. Because of the warm temperatures, they can remain uncovered in the nest bowl by their parents, who are very near by. Each have ravenous appetites and are growing stronger every day.
Enjoy!
Posted : December 30, 2014 3:26 pm
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Can you believe how the kids have grown?
Posted : January 18, 2015 6:57 pm
Amazing
Can you believe how the kids have grown?
Posted : January 18, 2015 7:03 pm
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Amazing
Can you believe how the kids have grown?
http://www.eagles.org/Cams/FloridaNest.html
What I've liked about this site are the Cam Ops, who are attuned to every detail going on in the nest. They also post clips from interesting 'events' which occur from time to time...the kids 'bonking' one another, commotions during feeding...here is one clip:
Thanks, Daniel. I hope you continue to enjoy this great family! At least there is no snow in this Florida nesting sight as compared to the Northern Eagles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WryMdxC-LPQ&feature=youtu.be
Posted : January 18, 2015 8:46 pm
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Greetings everyone,
An update for our Ornithology fans: The Eaglets are just about 6 weeks old now and starting to learn self feeding techniques. Names are to be presented today - after taking an on-line polling for possible suggestions - for NE3 and NE4. Enjoy this wonderful family!
Swan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3E0W8oyEaw&feature=youtu.be
http://www.eagles.org/Cams/FloridaNest.html
Posted : February 2, 2015 2:25 pm
Hey Swans, came across this and thought you'd enjoy:
Famous Decorah Eagles Welcome First Eggs of the Year
Alicia Graef
Feb 24, 2015
A pair of bald eagles in Decorah, Iowa, have captured the attention of their fans once again after the female was seen laying her first egg of the year on a live video-feed set up watching their nest.
They might be completely unaware, but this pair of bald eagles have become known as Mom and Dad and have been fascinating nature lovers and raptor enthusiasts for years thanks to a camera set up by the Raptor Resource Project (RRP). This camera has offered us a unique glimpse into the eagles’ otherwise secret lives.
Over the years, more than 309 million visitors have tuned in to Ustream to watch them, and this season has brought some serious raptor drama since the camera was turned on in October. Last month, the pair was caught in a brawl over their nest as a pair of great horned owls boldly tried to claim it for themselves.
“The footage is shocking,” Bob Anderson, RRP’s director, told the DesMoines Register. “This is the first time it’s ever been documented. Ever.”
More excitement ensued last Wednesday evening when Mom laid her first egg of the year, ending speculation about who would win the battle to keep the nest.
“The ‘who gets the nest?’ nail-biting appears to be over, and the winners are Mom and Dad Decorah!” RRP wrote in a Facebook update after the egg was laid.
According to Anderson, the pair usually lay about three eggs in total that are spaced out every three days. The second egg arrived on Saturday evening. Now their fans are waiting to see if there will be a third one. According to experts, both parents will share incubation duty for about 35 days before the eggs hatch, so we can expect some eaglets to appear in March. For now Mom and Dad are carefully taking turns keeping their eggs warm in below-freezing temperatures.
According to RRP, the first egg marked the 21st for the pair, who have successfully hatched all 20 of their previous eggs. This success rate brings hope not only to their fans but to those who want to see the fierce birds of prey thrive. While the fate of most of their young ones is unknown, Mom and Dad chose some prime real estate for their nest near a fish hatchery, giving them an even greater chance of survival.
The species’ comeback from the brink after being protected under the Endangered Species Act in 1978 marks an enormous conservation success. Despite that conservation success, and even though their numbers are up and their having been removed from federal protection in 2007, they still face a number of threats that range from lead poisoning, habitat loss, illegal shooting, electrocution and now a deadly bacteria that has been impacting populations in the southeast.
Hopefully Mom and Dad Decorah’s latest additions, and the great footage we’re seeing from nest cams like this, will keep inspiring us to work to ensure we never see this iconic species return to its imperiled past.
To see more of the Decorah eagles, you can watch them live on Ustream and follow updates on their Facebook page.
See link for videos:
http://www.care2.com/causes/famous-decorah-eagles-welcome-first-eggs-of-the-year.html?onswipe_redirect=no&oswrr=4#comments
Posted : February 25, 2015 7:59 pm
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Many thanks, Alana! The Eaglecams really give everyone an opportunity to observe these great birds as they nest and rear their young.
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles Decorah
The two kids (named Noel and Nick now) of AEF's Florida site are six weeks old. They are as tall as the parents with wingspans of 6 feet.
http://www.eagles.org/Cams/FloridaNest.html Florida
Posted : February 25, 2015 9:16 pm
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G'afternoon Eagle fans:
The two eaglets, Nick and Noel (parents: Romeo & Juliet), have started to 'branch' and should be 'fledging' within the next few weeks. They are about three feet in length with a six foot (6') wingspand at this 10 week stage of life. Self feeding, they still depend on the parents for food, which is delivered to the nest throughout the day. They are under the watchful eyes of Romeo and Juliet at all times. Once fledged, the eaglets will be taught by their parents how to fish, hunt prey, and survive in their exciting new world called "freedom". Enjoy this wonderful family!
Swan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzdkomkZpp0
Posted : March 12, 2015 5:38 pm
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OK everyone, it's time to learn to do the 'Tross Dance and impress your audiences when you next step onto the dance floor! Observe each detail - including the beak clapping, head bobbing, beak under wing, leg movements, 'sky moos' - each and every detail must be learned to perfection in order to display the Dance of the Albatross correctly. You need not have a chick Albatross in the background; this chick is observing and learning...:D
Now, grab your partner and let's get started! 😀
Posted : April 11, 2015 12:00 am
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For our ornithology fans: 🙂
Please meet Indy (Independence) and Franklin from the AEF at Dollywood Park Eagle Sanctuary for nonreleasable Bald Eagles.
"....Three eggs were laid on 3-28, 3-31, and 4-03. One egg was accidently broken by a stick carried by Indy. When eggs went significantly past projected hatch date, they were confirmed to be infertile.
Independence and Franklin still get to be parents this year, however! They were given and are now "fostering" an Eaglet that hatched from an egg produced by captive Bald Eagle breeding pair "Isaiah" and "Mrs. Jefferson." The egg was found on the ground in Eagle Mountain Sanctuary in March, transferred to AEF's incubation room, and hatched 36 days later on May 6, 2015! The eaglet was placed in this nest when it was approximately one week old, and Independence and Franklin have accepted it as their own...."
http://www.eagles.org/Cams/DollywoodNest.html
Swan
Posted : June 11, 2015 2:36 pm
Scientists Look to Baby Eagles to Determine How Contaminated Our Environment Is
Diane MacEachern
Jun 17, 2015
Scientists in Wisconsin have hit on a new way to determine how exposed we humans are to toxic chemicals in the environment: They’re asking baby eagles.
Well, “asking” may put too nice a spin on it. Biologists at Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are retrieving bald eaglets from their nests for a few minutes so they can collect feather and blood samples. They then analyze the samples to determine what pollutants and heavy metals they contain. Through this toxic monitoring program, the researchers hope to figure out how much contamination is present and how widespread it is.
Why eagles? Studies show that birds that nest near metropolitan areas have higher concentrations of mercury, lead and other chemicals in their bodies, reports the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. It is impractical to sample all fish and bird species, says Jim Woodford, the coordinator of the DNR’s bald eagle survey program. But eagles eat at the top of the food chain, where contaminants are generally more concentrated. As a result, the raptor serves as “kind of an early warning,” says Woodford.
Among the contaminants the scientists are finding in the eaglets’ blood and feathers are pesticides, PCBs, mercury, lead, flame retardants, and stain- and water-resistant chemicals. Most of these compounds are what scientists call “persistent.” Rather than break down and disappear, they persist in the air or on the ground and eventually filter into streams, tributaries, lakes and rivers. Eagles eat fish and other critters that also eat fish, compounding their exposure.
Over time, the scientists hope to monitor the same birds they’re sampling now so they can determine if their levels of contamination are increasing or decreasing.
Some chemicals, like the pesticide DDT, have already been banned because they were linked to declining bird populations, as well as cancer in people. While it’s unlikely that other pollutants will be banned any time soon, as the saying goes, being forewarned is being forearmed. The more information scientists can gather, the stronger the argument they can make to phase out the chemicals that pose the greatest threat.
In the meantime, you can do your part to keep eagles — and yourself — safe, by choosing organically grown food, minimizing the pesticides you apply to your own lawn and garden, and using mercury-free thermometers. Save energy and shift to solar and wind, as well. Generating electricity by coal-fired power plants is one of our largest sources of mercury, so using electricity much more efficiently can put a dent in the amount of mercury that ends up in the eagles’ food chain – and ours.
Posted : June 18, 2015 3:00 pm
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The Albatross: the good luck symbol of all Ancient Mariners - yesterday and today:
The young Laysan Albatrosses are fledging as the ocean calls to their instincts to fly. Please enjoy these albatrosses of Midway Atoll/ Hawaiian Islands as they take to the sea and to the air for the first time in their long lived journey gliding over their new home - the ocean.
Posted : July 7, 2015 2:31 am
Thank you Swan.......enlightening!
Posted : July 7, 2015 1:09 pm
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Another must share moment:
Please meet Frans Lanting:
Through his captivating, breathtaking, and stunning photography combined with his rivotingly informative narrative, Frans Lanting invites us into the mesmerizing world of the oceans' wanderer, the Albatross. The sea is its home - shall we drop in for a visit?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toJwBgjCZMI
Swan
Posted : July 7, 2015 3:35 pm
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For 9:49 minutes, let's soar with the magnificent Albatross: Reach out, touch the tip of his wing, and let the wind carry you and your dreams to far away places....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jNBTrHPVN4#t=150
Swan
Posted : July 9, 2015 1:34 pm
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Greetings to our Ornithology followers as baby eagle season is now upon us once more! The crib awaits the egg(s)... Please check on them often to experience an Eagle family caring for the eggs, hatching, raising, and fledging of the kids. It is an amazing journey and learning experience. Enjoy! . :@)
Swan
"....The Wait Continues :
We all continue to be focused on when the first egg will arrive in the nest at the Alcoa EagleCam. As noted by many of the posters in our comment feed, Liberty & Justice have done everything except lay an egg. As frustrating as it might be for all of us anxious to see an egg, this is just one more example of how nature operates on its own timetable and in its own way. Hopefully our patience will be rewarded soon...."
https://www.alcoa.com/locations/usa_davenport/en/info_page/eaglecam.asp
Posted : February 27, 2016 3:18 pm
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Exciting news everyone! We have egg #1! :@)
March 2nd - Wednesday:
"....It was great to welcome the first egg of the season to the nest at Alcoa EagleCam. Liberty delivered the egg just before 2pm local time. If we get a second egg it would likely be Friday or Saturday. In the meantime, do not be alarmed when they get up and let the egg "cool" a bit. That is done intentionally to try to get the eggs to hatch closer to the same time to give all of the eaglets a better chance of survival. Watch for very devoted parents tonight as snow is expected...."
https://www.alcoa.com/locations/usa_davenport/en/info_page/eaglecam.asp
Posted : March 3, 2016 1:49 pm
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Guess what everyone....Egg #2 has arrived....! :@)
"....It took all day yesterday but finally about 5:30 pm local time Liberty laid egg number two for the season. Now it looks like if there is going to be a third egg, it will arrive Monday or Tuesday. Today should be a nice day for our eagle family as winds drop as the day goes along and the temperature climbs into the 50's...."
https://www.alcoa.com/locations/usa_davenport/en/info_page/eaglecam.asp
Posted : March 6, 2016 8:42 pm
I wonder how they know that a third egg is about to be laid. Is it based on how the eagles are acting?
Posted : March 6, 2016 9:37 pm
