Tag Archives: nature

4 October 2026

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. It means the world to me. So many of you have so much experience – I certainly do not feel like I am on this journey alone.

This morning ‘PP’ wrote. I guess I had skipped something! My apologies. So, in a nutshell, this is what happened and is happening (or not) with Donald. I have to always start with Donald has Lewy Body Dementia. He was diagnosed four years ago, but the symptoms had been there for at least 18 months prior as I tried to navigate the medical system here to get a diagnosis. Lewy Body Dementia is very challenging. You might recall that Robin Williams committed suicide. They later discovered he had Lewy Body Dementia during the autopsy. What makes LBD different from the other forms of dementia is that there are not only hallucinations, but there can also be symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Donald had the hallucinations – that was what first alerted me to the fact that ‘something was wrong’. Thankfully, he did not have any symptoms of Parkinson’s. On the 26th of August, he went walking at the St Vital Duck Pond with Ann and then to the Dairy Queen (he loves ice cream). That evening, we walked Toby twice, bringing his total day count to approximately 4.3 km. He was happy, walking, getting up in the middle of the night to toilet and get a drink of water. In other words, he was active, walking, feeding himself, and going to the bathroom. He did not need assistance for anything save for the odd button on his shirt or his jeans.

On 27 August, Donald went to the Emergency Ward at one of our local hospitals with a UTI in an ambulance. You might recall that he had a similar issue at Christmas and was in the hospital for twelve days. They have yet to remove his prostate, and it takes forever to see a specialist; sometimes, it is not a surprise that eight months later he would have another infection that caused him to be anxious. I expected it and wished I had had a nurse come to the house to help, but alas, I didn’t have a letter from his GP, so I couldn’t hire someone. He was very confused when he left the house and was more confused by the lights and noise of the emergency ward. He was disoriented, and I am told he tried to get out of bed and fell, hitting his head, his left eye, his left upper arm and his ribs. I don’t know whether the Emergency staff reviewed his electronic medical file. If they had, they would have seen that he had LBD. So, through either oversight or negligence, they gave him an injection of Haldol to calm him down. It was the wrong drug. Haldol causes catastrophic events that change the lives of someone with LBD (and everyone who cares for them). Today, Donald can’t walk. He can feed himself if he is sitting up in a wheelchair, but not in his hospital bed. Even then, his food has to be cut into small bites and be finger food. He is frustrated because he has to wear diapers. Unlike Alzheimer’s, where memory is literally eaten away, memory is the last to go in LBD patients. His ‘body’ will go first. The Haldol caused him to have acute Parkinson’s tremors, where he shakes from his head to his toes (which are curled under) uncontrollably. Don had a Neuroleptic sensitivity to Haldol, and that is why it is prohibited from being given to patients with LBD.

Neuroleptic sensitivity to Haldol (haloperidol) is an extreme, heightened adverse reaction to antipsychotic medication that often causes severe muscle stiffness, rapid mental decline, and movement problems—frequently seen in patients with Parkinson’s disease or Lewy Body Dementia. 

What Happens During Sensitivity

• Severe Extrapyramidal Symptoms: Uncontrolled muscle spasms, tremors, rigidity, and a mask-like face occur at standard or even low doses.
• Cognitive Worsening: Rapid confusion, heavy sedation, unresponsiveness, or a sharp drop in mental sharpness.
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): A life-threatening emergency marked by very high fever, unstable blood pressure, heavy sweating, and severe muscle breakdown.

Why It Occurs

• Dopamine Blocking: Haldol strongly blocks dopamine receptors in the brain.
• Pre-existing Vulnerability: Patients with underlying brain degeneration (like Lewy Body Dementia) already lack normal dopamine and acetylcholine levels, causing their nervous systems to collapse when the remaining pathways are blocked. 

Management and Safety

• Contraindication: Typical antipsychotics like Haldol are generally unsafe and contraindicated for people with Parkinson’s disease or Lewy Body Dementia

I cannot change what happened to Donald. Who would have thought you could go into a hospital with an infection requiring antibiotics and become an invalid? Donald cannot change this anymore than he is responsible for having LBD in the first place. I could spend all my time being angry and fighting a medical malpractice suit only to be so mentally and physically exhausted that I am unable to think clearly – and that is what is needed as we chart a new course on our journey.

I have lots of tips to pass along, but the first one is this: If you suspect that your partner/husband or wife has some form of dementia or Alzheimer’s, you owe it to them to speak to their doctor. Don’t make it a big deal or turn it into a fight in front of them. Believe me, they do not recognise the symptoms! Don thought I really was a man driving our car!!!!!!! There are several reasons that an early diagnosis is preferable – there are treatments to slow the disease so that you have quality time. Secondly, you do not want your person to get a medication that is contraindicated for their diagnosis! I promise you, you do not. It is not being subversive to speak to their doctor; it is caring.

Donald has a little Cavalier stuffy, and he often strokes it like he does Toby. If you have a loved one in hospital, think of a stuffy. They are very much welcome.

Donald doesn’t want me fussing, and Toby and I are settling into a very new normal. Keep us in your thoughts – we will be fine. It is just a time of acute adjustment.

Toby had ‘his treatment’ (for fleas/ticks and then heartworm) yesterday and the day prior and had to wear his little overalls to keep the cats from licking his fur.

Now for something different – and believe me, the birds (along with Toby and The Girls) have a way of comforting us that no one can! SK Hideaways gives us fluffy eyases and as they say, ‘a romance in the making’.

SK Hideaways Videos Week of 27 September 2026

367 Collins Street Falcons ~ Melbourne, Australia ~ F24 & M24, eggs laid 23, 25, 28, 30 August

Courtesy Victorian Peregrine Project | Melbourne 

South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY 

North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

F24 & M24 WELCOME CHICK #3! While Chick #1 Stays Ready to Eat ~ 2026 Oct 2

Then there were 3 tiny floofs. Food was delivered by the hunting machine, dad M24, within the hour. During this meal, chick 1 ate well, chick 2 napped, and chick 3 got his/her first whiff of food while taking in the big, wide world. When F24 ended the meal and flew off, chick 1 continued reaching for bites just in case.

Video: https://youtu.be/nD45L2iAOtc

CHICK #2 HATCHED ~ #3 ON THE WAY! 2026 Oct 2

F24 welcomed chick #2 to the nest! The pip in egg #3 is as big as #2’s was just a few hours ago. Shouldn’t be long now! M24 is going to have a nice surprise when he returns!

Video: https://youtu.be/M6lxQLnL60M

F24 Juggles Chick, Eggs & Food in Rain ~ Pip 2 Bigger ~ 2026 Oct 2

F24 managed continuous rain, a day-old chick, 3 unhatched eggs, and a full pantry. She managed it all like the pro she is. Keeping her offspring safe and warm, keeping food close at beak, and waiting till there was a break in the weather to feed her chick. 

Video: https://youtu.be/6DwrNxx7UXo

Chick #1 Meets Dad and Gets a Good First Meal ~ 2026 Oct 1

It was a big day for #1. Hatching and enjoying their first meal ever just hours apart. F24 gave M24 explicit instructions before departing and seeing he’s a pro dad, he aced the assignment (though he does seem to enjoy incubation more than the combo incubation/brooding task). F24 returned with the chick’s meal and the little one did very well before falling into the requisite food coma. 

Video: https://youtu.be/1jYdoRAokOI

PIP, HATCH HURRAY! 🥳 F24 & M24 WELCOME CHICK #1 ~ 2026 Oct 1

Chick #1 made quick work of zipping out of its shell, showing itself at 6:46:53 a.m. M24 offered to help out shortly after, but F24 declined. Congrats, F24 and M24! We should see at least #2 later today.

Video: https://youtu.be/mU4cnjeAd0c

FOBBVCAM Eagles  ~  Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Shadow (12 years), Jackie (dec. 10 August 2026), KD-1 (Kaydee 4, years), Sandy, and Luna (last seen on camera 23 July 2023)

Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley

Nest Cam:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE 

Wide View Cam (Cam 2):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4

Live Recap & Observations:  https://bit.ly/4wGjwVg

After Minor Collision, Shadow & Kaydee Get Comfy Together in Nest ~ 2026 Oct 2

Shadow and Kaydee met on the Cactus Snag before dual flying to the nest tree. Their arrival was a little rough with Kaydee a bit too close, causing a minor collision. But all was well as they got to work shuffling a few sticks, sharing a couple of beakies, and then departing to the roost tree for the night. They sang a lovely chortle-snorkel lullaby as dusk became night.

Video: https://youtu.be/aK0UC65hD70

Shadow Keeps Visiting Bald Eagle from Disturbing Kaydee’s Breakfish ~ 2026 Sep 27

Shadow and Kaydee had their usual morning chortles, a quick nest visit, and survey of the habitat. Kaydee caught a whopper and brought it to Twin Pines to enjoy, but there was a visiting bald eagle who thought her fish looked quite tasty and tried to land on the tree. Shadow and Kaydee voiced their opposition immediately and the visitor flew off. Shadow then kept an eye on the area and Kaydee as she enjoyed her breakfish. She ate every single morsel.
Video: https://youtu.be/hbkKN7PNLh0

SW Florida’s streaming cams are now operating and M15 has a new female. Here is the camera link: https://www.youtube.com/live/BbDdI0MDMl8?

This might be why they are not on camera:

Mum normally returns to John Bunker Sands Eagle tower nest in September. Is this her in the rain last night?

I can hear eagles calling but I cannot see them Sunday afternoon at JBSW.

I haven’t seen Ron or Rose at Dade County today so far.

Gabby and Beau seem to be absent today, also.

What is the use of a scarecrow? Have a read!

Floating scarecrows: how Cornish fishers are stopping seabirds drowning in their netshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/01/scarecrows-cornish-fishers-stop-seabirds-drowning-in-nets?CMP=share_btn_url

I don’t want to leave you without a smile on your face. Just look at Snow!

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care, everyone.

Thank you to SK Hideaways, as always, for their great videos!!!!!!!! To everyone who posted information and images on FB, and to the owners of the streaming cams. We are so thankful you let us watch these amazing creatures and to The Guardian, we are grateful for your wildlife news coverage.

3 October 2026

Greetings Everyone!

It was an overcast fall day on the Canadian Prairies. Still, it was a lovely time for a walk with Toby. We met one of our friends at the park, a lady with a walker. Toby loves her and the little toddler who is often there, clapping her hands when she sees him. It makes my heart beat in a beautiful way to see the joy Toby brings to others.

Those who love California Condors are mourning the death of Nomad #574 at the Oakland Zoo. Nomad died of lead poisoning. Kelly Sorenson writes: “Nomad (574) had shown signs of lead poisoning and was in critical condition. The veterinary team at Oakland Zoo went above and beyond to try to save him, and we are deeply grateful for their tireless care. Losing another magnificent condor to lead this year is devastating, and it is a painful reminder of the danger spent lead ammunition poses to wildlife. Hunters and ranchers are having difficulty finding some small calibers commonly used to manage their lands. California state law requires the use of lead-free ammunition, but poor market availability in some calibers is a big problem. If you, or someone you know, hunts or manages a ranch in Condor Range, please encourage them to contact us and maybe we can assist.”

Nomad’s bio:

“Nomad (574)’s father, Puff (219), was released in Big Sur while his mother, Condor (310), was released in Pinnacles National Park. The two established a breeding territory between the two sites. At first, we weren’t sure where Nomad (574) was going to spend more of his time after he fledged, but he mimicked his parents’ habit of splitting time between the two release sites.

His first trapping experience was in Big Sur and it was such a shock to him that it scared him away for a few months, but he gradually began wandering back. When he was hanging around Big Sur as a young fledgling, his father, Puff (219), would show him feeding techniques, which was very cute and endearing to watch.

Nomad (574) paired with fellow wild-fledged condor, Miracle (538), in 2017 and together they made history by having the first wild-born California Condor in the state since 1985. But that’s not all: They were able to successfully raise a chick – the first second-generation wild-born condor in decades! Unfortunately, in 2020, Nomad (574) and Miracle (538) lost their second hatched chick, Mystic (992), in the Dolan Fire. 

In 2021, Nomad (574) and Miracle (538) had another successful nesting attempt and chick Otter (1104) was hatched. Fast forward to 2022, Otter (1104) is fully fledged and flying free!

Recently, Nomad (574)’s mate, Miracle (538), has chosen to pair with his dad, Puff (219). While the split is unfortunate for Nomad (574), this steadfast male continues to maintain his nesting territory, and we’re confident that he’ll be able to woo another breeding female.”

Lead poisoning is the most frequent cause of death for condors, vultures, and, so often, bald eagles, who are also carrion eaters. This is so sad because non-lead alternatives exist in both hunting and fishing tackle!

The three little eyases at 367 Collins Street in Melbourne are doing well. Liznm has a feeding on video: https://youtu.be/c6mqxUKL_Fc?

Oh, aren’t they just so cute? Their eyes are not open yet, so you will see lots of bobbing around and attempts to get food from a sibling’s beak! But no worries, in a few days, they will be able to see absolutely everything.

Incubation continues at Orange.

Beautiful Lady and her ‘big babies’ at the Olympic Park WBSE nest in Sydney.

It’s a beautiful morning at Big Bear. Wonder what Shadow and Kaydee are doing?

Bald Eagle Discovery posted a video of both eagles and their sticks – do we now have two eagles that love moving sticks?! https://youtu.be/6WvIvahFBF8?

Explore.org is playing Highlights at the West End nest of previous occupants, Thunder and Akecheta, Haku, etc.

Nestorations continue at the E3 nest in Kistachie National Forest near Alexander, Louisiana.

Explore.org is also running Highlights at Decorah North. I really could benefit from not hearing those cold, wintry winds and ‘seeing’ the cold!

It is the same at all of their nests including Mrs T at Trempeauleau.

I don’t know about you but sometimes it is fantastic to see the footage from the year prior. Mrs T was an incredible Mum – a single Mum!

Something to put a smile on your face – funny wildlife photos from The Guardian:

Comedy wildlife photography award finalists 2026 – in pictures
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2026/oct/03/comedy-wildlife-photography-awards-2026-in-pictures?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you to everyone who has reached out over the past seven weeks with letters, cards, e-mails, treats, and comments. They warm my heart. It has been a rough ride, to say the least. I want to give a big shoutout to Reets, who packed up a gorgeous whistling tea kettle and her mother’s teapot, along with an article about Emma Heming Willis’s book, The Unexpected Journey, and another about eagles. I ordered the book right away and have now devoured it. The kettle and teapot were christened when two former students stopped by – it was a beautiful two hours, full of laughter with no mention of dementia! To the anonymous person who sent me the 24 Days of Cavalier Christmas – you put a big smile on my face when I needed it the most. I am looking forward to the fun of discovering what is behind each door.

Joy is sometimes in short supply as I navigate a new road alongside Donald. I am working hard to change that – to find the ‘new normal’. The anger has gone, for the most part, although it rears its ugly head when I least expect it. As my children would have said when they were teenagers, ‘I need an attitude adjustment,’ and that is what I am working on. The days moving forward will be different. The Haldol injection in someone with Lewy Body Dementia has caused a rapid onset of Parkinson’s symptoms, including muscle rigidity, that Don did not have prior to arriving at the hospital. He now has strong tremors all over his body, and he still cannot walk. Sometimes he can stand without help; other times, he needs three people to assist him. The sad reality is that we will never walk together in the park again, but we can go with me pushing his wheelchair or him operating an electric scooter. Surely we can retrofit a basket to hold Toby.

It will be important for us to find new ways to share our time together, not steeped in sadness or looking to the past, but moving forward to paths unknown. To that end, I have ordered Thanksgiving decorations to brighten up his room, and Toby and I have also arranged a costume for him to wear to cheer everyone up! Our Thanksgiving is on the 12th of October, and there will be lots of pumpkin pie with whipped cream – Don’s favourite. For those on 5S, eating is one of life’s little pleasures, so it is always good to have a treat in a bag. —— I have learned so much these past weeks, and when the tears don’t come so easily, I will share them with you, as I know that some of you have, are in, or will deal with someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia (they are two different animals with lots of different types). I am certainly not a health care professional, but we navigated life pretty well for six years—and I am determined that we will find our grip again, do that again, and then know what is happening and have a ‘new plan’. For any of my readers struggling, please feel free to reach out to me, Toby, and The Girls: maryannsteggles@icloud.com I have become a good listener.

Please take care of yourself. Go and watch the little ones at 367 Collins Street and check in on the Sea Eaglets at Sydney. They are so cute!

Thank you to everyone who posted information and videos on FB or YouTube. We are always grateful for your talents and all the information! To the owners of the streaming cams, we would not have these opportunities without you, so thank you. The Guardian keeps us up to date on many things, and their wildlife articles often make us smile, like today’s. I am grateful to each and everyone and to you, my readers, for caring so much about the wildlife we share our planet with.

2 October 2026

Hello!

It is a gorgeous autumn day on the Canadian Prairies. Toby and I have been for several walks and we spent time outside moving bits and bobs around the garden. Then I sat, had a cup of tea, and soaked in the warm sunshine. It is 12 degrees C. In the garden, some Dark-eyed Juncos have arrived. Migration is late, and why not? No lakes are frozen, so fish are still plentiful. In fact, some geese, swans, eagles, and hawks overwinter here. It is week 7 for Don in the hospital. He has been sleeping so deeply that no one could wake him. The hospital is now lowering an anti-anxiety medication that appears to be causing this. Fingers crossed. The Girls, Toby and I are settling into a strange new normal.

I have been negligent in telling you about The Girls. They do get special attention, but I used to write about them all the time. My apologies to the – and you! Calico and Hope continue to stay close. Where one is, the other is. Calico demands pets – if you don’t, forget it. She will sit on your chest until you pet and brush. How many of you have a Calico cat? The shedding is unbelievable! It isn’t a great photo, but there they are in their favourite spot.

Hugo Yugo is the troublemaker. When she isn’t sleeping, she is either playing with Toby or bothering Hope. HY will also be the one to run in the basement when workmen are here. No one else is even interested. Missey is the darling sweet one of the four and the one that is visually missing Don the most. Sadly, she is even getting used to his absence.

Mr and Mrs Crow waiting for one of the Red squirrels to leave the table feeder so they can have a peanut.

My darling boy, Toby. Never complains, hardly ever barks (except when the dog across the lane begins), is always there to comfort.

The beautiful fall sky when Toby and I went for our walk last evening.

The other one (making the normal three) on top of the little house feeder. There are peanuts inside!

The animals in the garden and those who share my home are certainly a gift.

The big news in Bird World is that there were two of the cutest fluffiest little eyases at 367 Collins Street today. I suspect by the time you read this, there could be more. The third was almost out of its shell before night settled.

This is big. Let us hope that it is not too late.

The Menhaden discussion is growing!!!!

Russ Bassdozer Comeau on FB:

MENHADEN INDUSTRY DELAY TACTICS: More Study is Required Before Acting

A large pool of federal, state, local and NGO steward scientific studies and dozens of scientist-led citizen-science surveys in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic states indicate the osprey is suffering catastrophic reproductive losses in recent years not seen since the era of DDT. Strong empirical evidence in each instance points to low menhaden availability as the primary driver behind poor nesting success in the saltier sections of the Bay and along sections of the total coast.

Dr. Bryan Watts, Director of the Center for Conservation Biology at William & Mary, who has led decades of empirical research on Chesapeake Bay osprey populations, has unified a number of such organizations’ nest monitoring data across 65 distinct study areas spanning the Atlantic Coast. This milestone effort compiled multiple independent scientist and citizen-science monitoring programs into a single, comprehensive systematic meta-analysis—to aggregate results into a definitive coastwide assessment at the highest tier of scientific evidence that fisheries managers cannot ignore in making informed decisions.

Based on these findings, a menhaden scarcity in the saltier nesting sites in the Bay and Atlantic states up the coast is apparent as food stress. Osprey nesting in freshwater upper reaches of coastal waters that are not as reliant on menhaden tend not to suffer from food stress or failing reproductive rates.

This large data set points to a need for a 50% reduction, resulting in a protective cap of 25,500 metric tons as the appropriate precautionary management measure to take now in the Bay. It also points to a total allowable catch (TAC) reduction as a proactive management measure to protect and rebuild the menhaden fishery in the Atlantic and to sustain saltwater-centric fish, birds and wildlife of all kinds that rely on menhaden.

INDUSTRY CLAIM #1: The industry argues that, because menhaden and the predator/prey relationships have not been substantially studied in the Chesapeake Bay to date, regulators should not impose catch limitations or local harvest caps to protect and rebuild sustainable balances in the Bay unless there is absolute, peer-reviewed scientific certainty proving a direct link between reduction fishing and predator decline. They claim regulators must wait for years of additional localized research and peer-reviewed forage consumption data models before changing any existing harvest caps.

THE REALITY: This is a stall tactic used to delay accountability while harvest limits are kept at status quo volumes desirable to the industry. Fisheries management policies explicitly allow for a precautionary approach when wildlife populations show clear signs of distress.

This fishery requires immediate protection while three upcoming research projects ramp up to have the exact “scientifically defensible and ecologically meaningful” localized metrics that the industry desires and the management board requires to adjust the Cap.

The upcoming state-funded research [1] fits with the opportunity to lower the Chesapeake Bay Cap now, reducing pressure on menhaden stocks and saving ospreys while data is being gathered, which will allow managers to adjust the cap as new scientific findings become available.

In this scenario, precautionary management would already be taking place to sustain stocks while industry-backed academic reviews [2] and the broader federally funded tracking project [3] come online to deliver their short and long-term assessments.

Waiting years like the industry wants for absolute scientific certainty while field biologists actively document ongoing widespread chick starvation can lead to an imminent, irreversible ecological failure.

These major menhaden research initiatives should be planned to initially come online and produce preliminary data within the timeframe of a suggested mandatory three-year review provision so the Board will have the exact “scientifically defensible and ecologically meaningful” localized metrics needed to adjust the Cap at that time and going forward, using targeted bay science rather than permanently locking the Cap into an unscientific fixed ocean-linked quota.

INDUSTRY CLAIM #2: The industry argument that a precautionary management approach for tighter, localized catch limits lacks scientific justification is yet another stall tactic used to maintain the regulatory status quo.

THE REALITY: The evidence on the nesting platforms, dwindling menhaden catch rates in Bay poundnet fisheries, and depletion of striped bass (rockfish) makes it abundantly clear that immediate precautionary management action is the proper response to tighten precautionary limits to protect the resource before menhaden and stripers crash, and local breeding colonies collapse entirely. Waiting for absolute mathematical proof of a “benefit” while forage fish, sportfish and raptors exhibit clear signs of localized distress would be a failure of basic resource conservation.

CONCLUSION: The Future of Localized Menhaden Management should start now.

——————————————————

RESEARCH FOOTNOTES & CITATIONS:

[1] Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) & Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). Chesapeake Bay Menhaden Population and Ecological Interactions Study. State-funded, independent research framework under the Virginia General Assembly budget directive. | $2.0 million state funding granted to the VIMS by the state of Virginia to study menhaden population and ecological interactions inside the Chesapeake Bay.

[2] National Science Foundation’s Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCEMFIS). Development of a Research Roadmap for Atlantic Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. Academic literature and data review project funded directly by commercial industry partners (Omega Protein / Ocean Harvesters). | Private corporate funding is channeled directly into SCEMFIS who distributes the funding directly to academic teams from VIMS and the University of Maryland to carry out the project. | The industry uses this private research allocation to build their preferred scientific guidelines for the 51,000 metric ton Bay Cap. They use it to argue that regulators should take no action until their private academic roadmap is fully finalized.

[3] Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Federal Appropriations Research Framework. Nationally funded regional study evaluating forage baseline data and Ecological Reference Point (ERP) modeling parameters. | $2.5 Million federal funding awarded to NOAA Fisheries by the federal government to analyze menhaden abundance, distribution, and forage roles within the Bay ecosystem.

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If you live where there are hearings, please attend and speak up or the Osprey and other wildlife that call the area around The Chesapeake home.

Ron and Rose had a visitor to their Dade County Bald Eagle nest. Heidi caught them on video: https://youtu.be/Oo3lBz5DYzo?

Eagles are returning to the Kisatchie National Forest! Check out the live cams. Andria III chortling this morning at E-3.

The sea eaglets are beautiful and Lady and Dad stay close, even during the night, to protect them.

Diamond and Gimbir are still on incubation duties at Orange.

Beau and Gabby continue nestorations at NE Florida.

The camera is now on at SW Florida with M15 and a new female?

Check out the other eagle cams – nestorations are underway.

Thank you for being with us today. Take care everyone. We will see you in a couple of days.

Thank you to everyone posting support for the ospreys, the owners of the streaming cams that let us watch our incredible raptors, and those who write newsletters and post images and information on FB.

30 September 2026

Good Morning,

Update: Pip confirmed at Collins Street!

Toby, The Girls, and I slept in until 0940. For the past two or three days, I have finally been able to catch up on my sleep! We are getting ready to begin week 7 for Don at the hospital. We need to make decisions soon, and I don’t want to be exhausted and make the wrong one. It is more than difficult to decide what is good for someone else – physically and mentally – when another party (me) is so intertwined in whatever is decided. Don continues to reassure me, when he sees I am overwhelmed, that ‘It’s OK’. Instead of me patting his arm and reassuring him, he has taken to comforting me. It’s beautiful. He was so happy to see Toby yesterday! Animals make an enormous difference, and I wish everyone who has a loved one in hospital or a care facility would take their pets to visit them. The benefits show instantly in the smiles and the need to stroke them.

It is 15 C. Fall is definitely here. We now have the bright red of the maple trees, along with a host of colours from yellow to brown, and a range of greens, including a magnificent chartreuse. The first birds to arrive are blue jays. Did I tell you there are seven of them? They are so beautiful and stand out against the autumn foliage. Next to arrive are the red squirrels, then the greys, along with a host of sparrows and, last but never least, Mr and Mrs Crow. Their arrival brings me comfort. Everyone is safe.

Nature brings such comfort! Today is a national holiday. Ann will be at the hospital, and I think Toby and I will spend some time in the local parks checking out the geese migrating through the city. You hear their honks in the early morning and at dusk as they land on the river to avoid predation by the coyotes and foxes.

Friends of Loch Doon have posted their annual summary. If everyone in the US would pick a nest (even sharing a busy one) and keep track, we could publish similar summaries and keep them in an archive. Consider them historical and scientific documents.

The September newsletter from BirdLife International:

Sadly, too often, the beautiful Black Storks die from being electrocuted on their flyway from Europe to Africa. This was, of course, what happened to the devoted father, Karl II, in Turkey, several years ago.

Is there a pip at 367 Collins Street? There is a white spot on one of the eggs. Dad brought Mum a real treat – a Rainbow Lorikeet – today. Liznm has it on video: https://youtu.be/4DYXfUEZ5mA?

Lizmn also has a zoom video of the eggs: https://youtu.be/QUhEP9xAcVw?

The camera is now running again at Orange. Whew!

Diamond rolling those precious eggs.

No action in the Big Bear nest this morning, so far.

I love the California Condors. There are 105 of them now. There will be a release in October. Stay tuned.

This is Redwood Queen. She is the former mate of the late King Pin and mother of Iniko (1031), now deceased.

If you missed the documentary, Condor Canyon, here is the link -. It is a brilliant movie about the Condor hierarchy and their challenging lives. The story of Traveler gives us hope but everyone must work hard to rid the land of lead. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/uqMUafNHwco?

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We will be with you again soon — there should be a fluffy white with pink accessories chick on the ledge in Melbourne tomorrow! How precious.

Thank you to Lizmn for her videos, for everyone else who posted, for those compiling annual newsletters for the osprey nests in the UK, and to the owners of the streaming cams – our gratitude.