21 January 2024
Good Morning Everyone,
It was -32 with wind chills making it feel like -44 C on Monday. As I write this Monday night, it is now -29C. I worry about the outdoor animals. How their little bodies manage in this type of extreme cold is beyond me when humans would quickly die. Last night a deer slept in our garden. I wondered all day what the fawn had eaten and then I saw it – or, rather, I didn’t see it. The new seed cylinder with mealworms. It’s gone from the big table feeder. Mystery is solved. Tonight there is Alfalfa Hay and lots of fruits and veg along with peanuts for anyone who shows up. It is too cold to be hungry. Food helps fuel their warmth. The garden is protected from the wind, thankfully.
The little fawn coming to find some food without her mother. This is a problem. I have not seen Mum with the baby for a month. Has she been killed by coyotes? or hit by a car? The two deer that come to the garden regularly are the buck with one antler and this little one.
Will see if she likes the Alfalfa.
All eyes were on the NE Florida nest of Gabby and Beau on Monday. Beau is going to be an excellent dad. Good for Gabby keeping the faith. They finally have a family and this was one of the most anticipated hatches. Let us all hope that Jackie and Shadow have good luck this year, too.
Gabby flew in with a fish at 1157. Beau had arrived with one shortly after hatch, and then another appeared on the nest. This little one will be spoiled by love and protection.
I am so happy for Gabby. She is a Mum again!
Gabby is all fluffy.
Cute. That neck is pretty strong and you can clearly see the egg tooth that acted as a pick axe to get out of that shell.
No feeding yet, but at least three fish on the nest. Beau brought in a partial one when he flew in.
Bright eyed with his/her egg tooth and that hair style. We are all in love with NE31.
Baby’s first bite!
He or she is strong!!!!!!!!! That head is held up high waiting for some fish dinner.
Nearly a thousand people watched Gabby, Beau, and their baby. It is a miracle and goodness we need these amazing miracles. Guarding the nest and incubating baby.
Beau looks at his baby.
SKHideaways has it all on video: https://youtu.be/yM42fkDJ3WE?
While we celebrate the magic that has happened at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest of Gabby and Beau, the tragedy that unfolded when an intruder (there appeared to be more than one) returned for several days in what appears to be a nest take over at the West End. We know both males were injured; Akecheta seemed to be more so than the intruder.
They are still showing Highlights on the IWS/Explore cams for Akecheta and Thunder’s nest and Tor. I do not think this is a coincidence. There is no news, and there is a chat if individuals are interested. You have to go to iws.org Then click on Live Cams and then you will find the link to the Live Chat.
I did not watch many other nests – NE Florida was enough. What a glorious day. There is news of incubation at Duke Farms. Hoping that camera will be back on line soon.
There is news about the Menhaden issue which is vital to our ospreys.
Thank you for being with us today. Take care everyone. See you soon!
Thank you to the NE Florida Bald Eagle Cam and the AEF for their streaming cam where I took my screen captures and to SK Hideaways for their video, IWS/Explore and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.