NE27 known affectionately as Little Bit by all his fans, got itself right up to Samson when he flew down to feed the kids.
Samson is already feeding NE26. Little Bit is frightened but is scooting its way up and over the twigs on the nest to get within reach of Samson’s beak but hopefully, not catch too much ire from big sibling who wants all of the food to themselves.
Someone asked why NE27 is always cheeping. It is food calling. It is hungry and it is letting Samson and Gabby know even though its beak is not right up against theirs.
Samson is gesturing to 27 to turn around.
There. Little Bit gets a good bite.
Despite its big crop and fish on the nest, NE26 does not want 27 to eat!
Samon bypasses NE26, moves his head way over, and gives Little Bit a bite.
Little Bit gets quite a few bites from Dad.
This feeding is ongoing as I wrote this blog. It is 15:50:54 and Samson is giving NE27 lots of attention and bites.
Samson will continue to feed Little Bit and 26 will try to stop it. By this time 26 is more than full.
Little Bit and Samson are working around 26.
Little Bit got some nice pieces of fish.
There is that precious little one with a nice crop thanks to Samson!
Both parents are on the nest as I finish writing this. Gabby is doing some aerating and Samson is looking around.
Samson is definitely alert to what is happening around the nest in his territory.
We can all sleep well tonight. Little Bit is full. Nest behaviour is very interesting. Samson responded to NE27s little cheeps for food and worked to help get it to eat. This is precisely what he did 48 hours ago. Do the males remember what it was like having a big sibling? I notice that M15 is quick to come in and help. Curious.
Port Lincoln moved the camera zoom in close and here are a few close ups of Ervie. Isn’t he handsome?!
Ervie. Happy Birthday. You are 5 months old today!!!!!!!!
These images were taken around 07:11-12, 16 February. Ervie is, of course, fish crying! He is also still a little wet from heavy rain a little earlier.
Just look at R1 and R2. Their juvenile feathers are really covering that dark thermal down underneath and they are standing so tall! And walking – not on the elbow but on their feet. Growing Up. I am showing you this because Little Bit will be fine. R2 still suffers but has learned much about snatch and grab, end runs, and feeding itself that are invaluable lessons for survival. Little Bit is learning them, too.
These characters are 10 weeks old.
B15, the eaglet on the Berry College nest of Pa Berry and Missy, is such a curious little one. Today it spent time watching Missy aerating the nest. You can often catch it moving nest materials about, too. This only eaglet is adorable.
Louis and Anna are on the nest with Kincaid. Those feathers are really coming in nicely. Sometimes you can hardly see Kincaid on the nest.
Andy and Lena are keeping alert. No indication of a pip on any of the eggs yet at the Captiva Osprey Cam.
Oh, let us hope these two are lucky this year!
In other news, Iceland has announced that it will end commerical whaling by 2024. That is very good news, indeed.
It has started to snow once again. I went out for a short walk and there is about 24 cm of snow on the sidewalks. I did not get very far! Tomorrow.
Take care everyone. Thank you for joining me today. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their streaming cams where I took my screen captures: Port Lincoln Osprey Project, NE Bald Eagles and the AEF, KNF Bald Eagles, Captiva Osprey Cam, Berry College, and the WRDC.