It was day three since Egg number 1 arrived. Saturday morning began as many of the mornings do in the tall slash pine with vocal greetings between Harriet and Ozzie. Harriet had been incubating Egg number 1 during the overnight hours and was in need of a break. Harriet called out to her loyal mate Ozzie who perched nearby and who quickly arrived to take over his time on the nest. As the afternoon passed, Harriet returned to resume her nest duty and at 4:16 pm on November 22, 2014, Egg number 2 arrived. Ozzie and Harriet are a seasoned and experienced Eagle pair and they immediately continue the tireless incubation and protection of their precious cargo. In approximately 35 days they will see the rewards of their dedication with their future offspring breaking out into the world.
Throughout the week the weather conditions changed to cooler and rainy periods. Harriet was soaked during an overnight storm as she kept the eggs safe and warm. She was very ready to begin drying out as Ozzie came to relieve his extremely drenched mate. Ozzie continued branch and food delivery. Harriet was not amused as she lay in the nest while one such branch landed on her head. Ozzie being the obsessive nest builder he is may not be able to pass up the perfect branch to bring to the nest, even if he dropped one of them in flight. He and Harriet both brought additional moss and grass to the nest maybe sensing the approaching cooler weather. They are both very in tune with their environment and the needs of their eggs and each other.
Ozzie had been having great success hunting and delivered fish to Harriet nest side. Seeming to keep an occasional fish for himself, Ozzie flew to the nest tree and then off to one of the snag trees by the pond to finish off his catch. Harriet appeared to voice her surprise that he kept the meal for himself. When Ozzie returned to the nest, Harriet flew off to the ground area near the tree where Ozzie dropped some of his meal and found a few morsels for herself. Ozzie redeemed himself by bringing Harriet’s Thanksgiving fish dinner to the nest in a rare night flight delivery.
Harriet and Ozzie’s instincts are heightened as they care for their priceless eggs. They aerate the nest bowl, reposition and roll the eggs and spend countless hours preparing for their future eaglets. Their protective nature is also in high gear as they have flown off to defend their territory, their nest and their baby eggs from any intruders. Harriet was viewed off in the distance soaring and perching on a tall power pole. Their sights are always set on their nest no matter where they are, always aware of their commitment to furthering their species.
Summary by dadsjazz
Harriet shaking off the rain and trying to dry out. (Urdognu)
Ozzie delivers Thanksgiving dinner to Harriet after dark. (Screen capture from SWFEC Facebook by Annalee Finch)
Ozzie in full mantle, protecting the eggs as Harriet’s arrival surprised him.(Urdognu)
Video by Urdognu
- SECOND EGG for Season 3 4.16PM http://youtu.be/3FSAUEL9nc8
- Fish Delivery & Other Morning Highlights http://youtu.be/-U3QWNad4LA
- “GET BACK HERE” (Title Credit Floridagirl) http://youtu.be/aFt9hZBoWUM
- Going Up, Casting Pellet, Oooops & Familiar Vocal http://youtu.be/j3Xsb8FfX98
- Ozzie Makes TeePee For Harriet’s Head (Title Credit-Atti2des) http://youtu.be/ICi4Svrsvro
- Defense Mantle http://youtu.be/iZEyckainqc
- Oz ‘Under Cover’, Harriet Alerts http://youtu.be/rqnLoTSLjdg
Ground video by wskrsnwings
- Harriet Enjoys Her Early AM Break http://youtu.be/8J65swcBSSw
- Harriet Spots Something, Both Adults Take Flight http://youtu.be/TImRwBxGl6I