M15 is honored on this special Father’s Day. After the tragic loss of his beloved mate Harriet, he soldiered on as a solo Eagle Dad to raise their eaglets to fledge and go on to live their best Eagle lives. M15 accomplished this unmeasurable feat with courage and bravery. M15’s overwhelming instincts to protect and… Read More »swfec nest notes extra: father’s day honors for m15

M15 successfully raised E21 and E22 after losing his beloved mate and Eagle Mom, Harriet. M15 took time to renew and refresh and found a constant Female companion. Their courtship gave promise that M15 would have a mate. He showered her with attention and food gifts. She took time to warm up to this new arrangement.… Read More »swfec Nest Notes extra: mother’s day past and present

M15 and F23 began their story over the late summer months of 2023 and engaged in building a bond. They became Dad and Momma, raising E23 to become a remarkable Juvenile Eagle. E23 watched, learned, and progressed through all the milestones and lessons. E23 has mastered many of the skills needed to succeed in Eagle… Read More »SWFEC Nest Notes: e23 may be starting a new chapter

M15 and F23 were home more throughout the last week. They each brought prey to the nest. Dad waited for E23 to arrive and claim the food. Momma was not as patient and proceeded to eat her catch, a reminder to E23 to be on the lookout for an easy meal. Mastering hunting will be… Read More »swfec nest notes: E23 at 120 days old is ready and able

M15 and F23 are fulfilling their purpose and have prepared E23 exceptionally well for life in the wild. E23 has become a fierce competitor for food, which will be the biggest challenge. E23 aggressively fended off F23 to keep the prey, just what she wanted to see E23 do. E23 protects and commands the nest… Read More »SWFEC Nest Notes: M15, F23, and E23 Spend Family Time Together

M15 and F23 must take great pride in E23’s progression into becoming a forceful young raptor coming into their own. M15 and F23 nurtured and helped enrich their sensational offspring over the past 15 weeks. E23 has been a fast study and has surpassed many milestones. E23 has become a striking and formidable force in… Read More »swfec nest notes: e23-a formidable young raptor

M15 and F23 make themselves scarce much of the time as E23 becomes more independent and assured. They drop by to check on savvy E23, who keeps an Eagle eye out for their arrival. E23 anticipates food coming in when Dad or Momma approach the nest tree and expresses vocal disappointment if no food is… Read More »swfec nest notes: E23-practicing and perfecting skills

M15 and F23 impart the best of their abilities to E23, who readily absorbs them all. E23 experiences many situations, masters milestones, and gains skill and confidence. E23 has been free-flying for just over two weeks and has roamed the bounds of the territory. E23 has imprinted well by watching Dad and Momma and storing… Read More »swfec nest notes: e23-mastering milestones

M15 and F23 enjoy E23’s adventures as much as E23 seems to. F23 was perched in the nest tree when E23 fledged, and M15 rewarded E23 with a fish. Since that eventful day, E23 has not missed a beat or tree in the pasture. E23 is a fabulous flyer and has ventured to places near… Read More »swfec nest notes: e23-finding new adventures every day

M15 and F23 observe and encourage E23’s progress through the stages of Eaglet life. E23 has been an exceptional learner and breezes through with honors. E23 sprouted from a tiny fuzzy Hatchling to a curious, active Eaglet to a brave Fledgling in 76 days. E23 branched at 62 days old and has been on the… Read More »swfec nest notes: e23- a hop, skip, and jump from hatchling to fledgling

M15 and F23, one from the high in the nest tree and one from afar, watched as E23 bravely hopped up to the veranda branch. E23 perched comfortably and preened while taking in new views. E23 was 62 days old at branching ranks among the younger Eaglets who branched previously. E23’s other big first was… Read More »swfec Nest Notes: e23 braves the branch and enjoys the view

M15 and F23 appear to be pleased with E23’s development and progress over these last eight weeks. F23 dotes on and watches over her endeared E23. M15 is devoted to his role as caretaker of them all. F23 has been a phenomenal Momma to E23 and a remarkable partner to M15. Together, they are raising… Read More »swfec nest notes: brilliant e23 is eight weeks old

M15 and F23 utilize all their valuable instincts and skills to provide for and protect E23. In turn, E23 imprints and absorbs all the lessons that will serve E23 well in the nest and beyond. E23 curiously studies the birds and life outside the nest. E23 stands cautiously close to the edge and bravely peers… Read More »swfec Nest notes: E23 is seven weeks old and moving up in the world

M15 and F23 continue their stellar nurturing and care of E23, and the resulting progress is remarkable. F23 has a special bond with her not-so-little-baby, and their interactions are endearing. She is very protective of and patient with E23. She checks in frequently with E23, sits in the nest, and offers cover from rain and… Read More »swfec nest notes: e23 breezing through milestones

One year ago was the last sighting of legendary Eagle Mom, Harriet. The sadness of her loss became lightened by the exceptional feat taken on by M15 in raising their offspring as a solo Dad. The years Harriet raised families with her devoted mates are memorialized throughout every turn in the territory. Harriet and M15… Read More »swfec extra: remembering legendary eagle mom, harriet

M15 and F23 devote all their attention to four-week-old E23 as they grow stronger by the minute. E23 preens constantly as thermal down feathers have replaced most of the natal down. Darker Juvenile feathers (contour and flight feathers) are bursting out all over. Studies have shown eaglets at four weeks are about six pounds with… Read More »swfec nest notes: e23- four weeks old and growing strong

M15 and F23 keep E23 well nourished, and the results are showing. Three-week-old E23 seems to be developing at record speed. E23 has changed immensely since last week and continues to do so daily. E23 is seen, peeking above the nest rails. Thermal down appeared just in time for colder weather since E23 hardly fits… Read More »swfec nest notes: e23-three weeks old and growing

M15 and F23 took exceptional care of their not-so-little E23, who turned two weeks old. E23’s growth progresses rapidly from all the frequent feedings by Momma and Dad. E23’s appearance changes daily. E23’s feet, wings, and little tail are bumping out all over. E23 has new thermal down emerging to allow thermoregulating and spending more… Read More »swfec nest notes: Family Time for m15, f23, and e23

M15 and F23 are adjusting as doting parents of their treasured eight-day-old E23. Momma seems captivated by her little, fuzzy baby. She checks E23 often and keeps them safe and warm. Dad happily and readily takes his time to brood E23. When the weather turned cooler and rainy, both kept E23 and the nest toasty… Read More »swfec nest notes: e23, eating, sleeping, growing

M15 and F23 welcome E23 to begin a new journey of life as a new Eagle Family. E23 broke out into the world at 7:07 am on December 31, 2023. F23 gave E23 a boost free from the shell as she placed a talon on it. F23 looked at her precious baby and touched it… Read More »swfec nest notes: Welcome E23, A New Year, A New Journey, A New Family

M15 and F23 have been an incubating machine for the past 30 or so days. They haven’t missed a beat in all that time. It is pretty remarkable since they are a newly mated pair, and they are in complete sync. Their vigilance toward the goal of becoming Eagle parents is inspiring. M15 and F23… Read More »swfec nest notes: A Fish Gift on a rainy Christmas Day