First Nest: Hatch!!!
 
Since I cannot see into the nest, I have to reply on indirect evidence that an egg(s) have hatched.
Mom Kate is showing one of the behaviors.
In her talons she has a mat of litter that has been soiled by the chick.
All birds keep their nests very clean and remove the soiled nesting materials.
Eagles take the used litter far from the nest before letting it drop to the ground.
 
 
Dad Petruchio is showing the other good indicator that there has been a hatch: feeding behavior.
Here he is bringing a small fish to the nest.
 
 
He then stands just within the nest, pulls the fish apart and leans over to feed the chick.
 
 
It didn’t take Petruchio more than a minute to feed the small chick.  
Dad Petruchio often takes a moment, as in this photo, and just watches the chick.
 
 

Jordan Lake is always full of surprises and contrasts.
It is home to both the largest and smallest raptors in the US.
Both of the birds below were very proud of their catches this afternoon.
 
American Bald Eagle
 
length: 34-43 inches   weight: 168 oz   wingspan 72-96 inches
 
_ark4457 jl dam 24-01-19 18-12-08 2 eagle fish frame
American Kestrel (also the smallest falcon in the US)
 
length: 9-12 inches    weight: 3.9 oz   wingspan 20-24 inches
 
_ark4124 ranger cove 24-01-19 14-03-31 1 kestrel lizard_ark4127 ranger cove 24-01-19 14-03-46 1 kestrel lizard

First Nest
 
I visited First Nest today and found Petruchio preening on a limb near the nest.
Having finished getting all his feathers clean and straight, he gave me a hello flight and soared closely over my head.
 
 
 
 
H&G Nest
 
I thought I would show you the nest … from where I stand to watch the home of Hershey and Godiva!
Can you find the nest?
 
 
 
 
And, then show you a crop of the same photo and you can see Godiva perched in front of her nest.  She hasn’t laid her eggs yet.
 
 
 
 
 

First Nest
 
I found both mom Kate and dad Petruchio in the nest this morning.
That is dad Petruchio looking out.  You can see Kate to the left and toward the middle of the nest.
 
 
Petruchio went across the cove and around the bend, out of sight.
He re-appeared with a bunch of soft grasses for the nest.
Mom Kate had made a nest cup within the main nest before laying her egg(s).
The cup holds the egg(s) securely and keeps them from rolling into possible danger.
The egg cup is made of soft materials and the lining gets packed down.
The parents need to replenish the lining at least daily.
 
 
Petruchio delivering his bunch of nest materials.