The sun is out, and the temperatures are unseasonably warm for the Canadian prairies. We are spending as much time as we can outside walking. Sometimes Toby goes with Ellen or us, sometimes Don and Ann take Toby for an extra-long walk. Yesterday, Don and Ann were at Fort Whyte, where they saw many deer and a single Chickadee. Today they are off to the Zoo! I used to spend these days rushing around, gathering things for the house or cleaning. The last few months have taught me that the precious hours when Don is with Ann are the ones when I should relax and care for myself. The house and the cupboards can wait. For those of you reading this today who care for others, I highly recommend that you just stop. No one cares whether your house is spotless or whether the cookies on the plate came from your oven or a box. They come to see you and your family. So, take time for yourself. Try and read that book that has been gathering dust. Sleep. Watch a good movie – but don’t do what I did and scamper around like a crazed chipmunk cleaning and stocking up as if a bad winter storm were about to arrive.
The fishing line on Connie and Clive’s nest at Captiva has been successfully removed! We can all breathe better today. Thanks everyone for your quick action! https://www.youtube.com/live/QY9q0YFJbsQ?si
Another little one is making its way into the world! And its Mum is the bald eagle with only single vision – how great is this. We know our wildlife are resilient. Wish this family the best.
Windows to Wildlife is asking you to submit names for Connie and Clives little CE14. Here is the FB posting – please participate. Come up with a really cute name!
Your ABC Bird of the Week is the Antioquia Brushfinch.
Great news coming out of the Kakapo Recovery Programme in New Zealand.
Thank you so much to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to be part of the lives of these amazing birds. They give us joy and bring hope amidst some dismal times. Thank you to those that did the posters and informative posts on FB. I am in your debt!
Take care everyone. I will be back with you again on Monday.
Yes, did you notice? Two Mondays in Bird World. Alas, it has been a tiring week!
Don is home from the hospital, missing his brand new SuperPuff long coat, glasses, and runners. What does one say and do? You file a form and hope that they turn up! In the meantime, you carry on and try to find replacements! Don was safe, but no tests were conducted in eleven days, just assumptions made. Please don’t hesitate to ask me if I am happy. I am decidedly not. I need an ultrasound to determine if this is a prostate issue or something else. If it is a prostate problem, then what is it? Thankfully, they won’t be sending me a bill!!!!!!! And I won’t have to mortgage my house to pay for his care.
Toby was relieved that Don was home.
I will be calmer when the issue at hand is resolved as you can imagine.
Beau Meets Super Bobblehead NE33 and Feeds Super Snacker NE32 (2026 Jan 1) Gabby made Beau wait a while before letting him meet NE33, but when she finally did, it was a sight to behold. Beau was immediately smitten with his third offspring (his first being Bodie in 2025) and settled in to brood both NE32 and NE33. A short while later, NE32 let Beau know it was snack time and dad was happy to oblige. While NE33 was still tuckered out from hatching, the smell of fish did cause the little one to stir. The stirring too the form of much wobbling and falling from side-to-side ~ seeing as that big head isn’t quite yet cooperating. We’re sure they’ll both be super snackers by tomorrow. Video: https://youtu.be/DZBMVvi5tp8 NE32 HATCHES!12-Hour Lead-Up ~ Congrats Gabby & Beau! (2025 Dec 31) NE32 arrived after working to escape its shell for about 36 hours. We summarized the 12 hours that led up to NE32’s arrival. Congratulations to Gabby and Beau, and welcome to the world NE32! Video: https://youtu.be/i4lIg-u3yIc
TWO HARBORS EAGLES: Nest of Cholyn & Chase Cholyn & Chase at 27-years ~ Morning Check-in, Brunch on Nest (2025 Dec 30) At 27 ~ almost 28 ~ years old, Cholyn and Chase are still the lovebirds they were when they first paired up 22 years ago. They checked on their nest this morning, which is already in good shape for eggs, should they grace us with them next year. Later, Cholyn returned with a nice fish, which she took her time to enjoy. Every moment with this special pair is a precious gift. Video: https://youtu.be/GOApBZhGIb8 Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ
There is sad news coming out of FOLFAN. The ten-year-old nest tree collapsed during a storm. Oh, if only there were the resources to help support these old nests!
Incubation continues at the new Window to Wildlife Winter Park, Florida Bald Eagle nest and cam. The female is blind in one eye. Link in post.
The two surviving eaglets at Superbeaks are doing very well indeed and now have their fluffy white down Mohawks.
Gabby and Beau continue to do a magnificent job at NE Florida.
I wanted to get those videos of SK Hideaways off to you before the end of Monday. Please take care. My posts will be short – I have to be caregiver and nurse and we are still monitoring Toby for any issues. Send us good energy as we move forward.
Thank you to SK Hideaways, those who post on FB, particularly Bald Eagles 101, and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to participate virtually in the lives of our beloved eagles.
