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Ginnie McSpadden

Taking Turns- Weekly Nest Notes

Harriet and M15 have each taken their turn incubating their eggs, carefully turning and rolling them at regular intervals. They aerate the nest material by pulling it up from the bottom and turning it over. They patiently brood their eggs for hours on end and eagerly step up to take their next turn at egg tending. The cycle goes on without a hitch with well timed exchanges. Many times they pass each other with a brief vocal acknowledgement saying possibly, “Your Turn”. Mom and Dad have each taken their turn… Read More »Taking Turns- Weekly Nest Notes

Timing is Everything- Weekly Nest Notes

Harriet and M15 have been incubating their eggs around the clock with well timed changes in their duties. The switches were quicker since the air was a bit cooler. The turning of the eggs and aerating of the nest bowl is an ongoing process throughout day and night. Mom seems to spend more time brooding, taking the night time duties. At dawn she softly calls out to M15 who is usually in his spot right above the nest. They change positions and Mom vocalizes her “Good Morning” to the pasture.… Read More »Timing is Everything- Weekly Nest Notes

It’s a Team Effort- Weekly Nest Notes

Harriet’s soft vocals in the predawn hours let M15 know that she would soon be departing from her incubation shift. Mom takes the overnight duties while Dad stands guard in the outer attic branch. They are a well coordinated team caring for their precious cargo. Harriet carefully rises up, looks at their Eggs and hops to the porch announcing her “Good Morning” vocal to the pasture. M15 quickly arrives in the nest to resume brooding. Harriet flies off to a nearby snag or the far off poles stretches, preens and… Read More »It’s a Team Effort- Weekly Nest Notes

Nature’s Way – Weekly Nest Notes

Harriet and M15 engaged all their instinctual abilities as they prepared for eggs and eaglets. With all of the parts in place Harriet laid Egg 1 at 5:03 p.m. on November 22, 2016. M15 greeted his precious egg with great interest looking under Harriet and pulling the Egg toward him. Mom took the overnight incubating duties. Dad eagerly took his turn at incubation early the next morning. Harriet was off to stretch and enjoy a leisure day after labor and delivery. M15 brought fish to his Lady and she accepted… Read More »Nature’s Way – Weekly Nest Notes

The Waiting Game- Weekly Nest Notes

The countdown to eggs has begun. The nest has been constructed, Harriet and M15 have been mating regularly, M15 delivers meals for Harriet and all systems seem to be a go. Anticipation grows waiting for the arrival of precious egg. The parents to be seem to spend more time together closer to the nest as the time nears. M15 makes the dash for sticks and soft nest material to put the finishing touches to the sturdy and sound nest he and Harriet have built together. All eyes are fixed waiting… Read More »The Waiting Game- Weekly Nest Notes

Feathering the Nest- Weekly Nest Notes

The sun rises on another beautiful day and the pasture awakens. Harriet and M15 welcome the early morning with vocal greetings. They have perched overnight side by side mostly in the nest tree this week. They stretch and preen and engage in mating to begin the day. M15 hops down to the nest to survey the nest bowl. A lot of soft moss and grasses have been added this week. Harriet follows and adds her touches as she aerates the nest bowl. They are readying the nest for soon to… Read More »Feathering the Nest- Weekly Nest Notes

The Journey Together- Weekly Nest Notes

Harriet and M15 are closer to accomplishing their goal. They have constructed a very sturdy and comfortable nest together over the last few months. M15 tests out the nest bowl after each addition of grasses and mosses. His strength has grown and he never seems to tire in his efforts to find and deliver large branches for the nest rails. Harriet continues to bring sticks and her favorite fresh pine. She seems to have more confidence in M15’s nest building under her watchful eye as she perches and preens while… Read More »The Journey Together- Weekly Nest Notes

Dedication and Teamwork- Weekly Nest Notes

Harriet and M15 are working as a finely tuned team readying their beautifully constructed nest to welcome a new generation of eaglets. All signs point to them achieving their goal as they prepare. They both continue to find the materials needed for the nest as they maneuver through the pasture and the trees around the territory. Harriet was observed lying in the nest overnight. M15 takes his turn at checking the nest bowl looking very comfortable. M15 ramps up food deliveries to the nest which will prove crucial when eggs… Read More »Dedication and Teamwork- Weekly Nest Notes

Strengthening the Bond- Weekly Nest Notes

Harriet and M 15 have made great progress on their nest as the time for egg laying nears. What was an empty space in the nest tree a few short months ago now holds a beautifully constructed nest. They continue to add sticks and nest material daily. M15 has grown in his maturity over the past year as he hones nest building skills. His prowess as Harriet’s mate is in full bloom as they share bonding moments, times perched together and delivery of fish gifts for her. They follow each… Read More »Strengthening the Bond- Weekly Nest Notes

The Best of Nature- Weekly Nest Notes

Harriet and M15’s mission to build their nest appears to be right on target. They have gathered many types and sizes of branches and nest materials. The delivery of a small branch or clump of grass may not seem to make a difference in the scheme of building but Harriet and M15 have selected each addition with purpose. There have been “discussions” and “disagreements” over where to place the items but as teamwork prevails, each delivery found its proper place. The interior of the nest bowl is being lined with… Read More »The Best of Nature- Weekly Nest Notes