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Weekly Nest Notes: Ready for the Freedom of Flight

E15 and E16 are turning 12 weeks old and look fully grown. They appear larger than Adults because of their longer wing and tail feathers that help them in flying and soaring. They weigh less than Adults but will build muscle mass as they mature.  Earlier in the week, E15 fledged accidentally while hopping the nest tree branches. E15 spent the night in a front pine and, the next morning flew around the pasture to the nest. E15 was then knocked off the attic branch one evening by the pesky owl and landed in a pine tree again overnight. E15 then flew from tree to tree in the pasture, to the church roof and back to the nest tree the morning. E15 can fly but still needed to gain more courage to do it on their own. E15 finally performed a beautiful flight from the attic branch around a front pine tree and back. E16 ventured farther out on the veranda and leaped to the attic branch next to E15 to take in all the new views there. E15 enjoys the sights from Harriet’s favorite treetop perch and makes the flight there and back with ease.

E15 and E16 are in the stage of their development where they will put into practice all they have learned to this point. They have imprinted well on their territory and watch all that goes on. It is very interesting to see the wheels turning when they bob their heads looking for the next place to explore.  Recognizing, acquiring, and keeping food to eat for themselves becomes their focus and a critical element in their survival. There were days when food was scarce and then days of plenty, the reality of life in the wild. E15 and E16 are mostly on their own to battle for the food dropped in the nest. Harriet treated them to a feeding which seemed to confuse them. She may have been taunting them to be more aggressive with her since they will have to compete with Adults on their future hunting ventures. Harriet and M15 are always teaching and E15 and E16 are absorbing the knowledge imparted to them.

E15 and E16 have the skills and all they need for their future flights. Harriet and M15 will begin to entice them away from the nest tree by taking prey to a snag or the pond bank. Mom and Dad will encourage them to follow along on a hunting excursion.  They are more than ready for the experiences and E16 will soon be  joining E15 in the skies. They will delight in their journeys to find higher perches to explore. This part of their education by the example of exceptional Eagle Parents will ensure success for E15 and E16’s future endeavors. Nest Notes by dadsjazz 

Weekly Video Highlights

Ground Video by wskrsnwings

Video by JCsEagleCottage

Video by Lady Hawk

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