There have been lots of interesting happenings at the North Fort Myers eagle nest — at the very end of last season and so far this year. The main thing we have all been reminded of is that, like all birds, the Eagles don't really exist to make people happy. They exist to survive and procreate — to bring more bald eagles into the world.
(Some of you may be following the adventures at the nest on Facebook or the WebCam, so this will be old news. If you do, you've seen better pictures too — but these are my very own. It's fun to visit the nest occasionally and fun to share the pictures, so even if you know all this already, I hope you won't mind seeing the story again here.)
I wrote, around this time last season, about the injury to Ozzie, the male Eagle at the nest. He was found hurt (probably hit by a train) and taken to CROW, our local Animal Rehab facility. When I posted then, he was recovering from his injuries. Harriet continued to nourish and raise her two nestlings alone and both fledged successfully. During that time, several young adult and sub-adult eagles attempted to visit the nest. Harriet chased most of them off, but eventually she began to encourage one who became known as FV (for "Frequent Visitor").
Ozzie recovered from his injuries and was released near the nest, but instead of the happy reunion many hoped for, a few days later he got into a fight with FV and was killed. Fort Myers mourned! This sign was posted at the pasture:
(I admit to being slightly obsessed with the Eagles and stop briefly when I can, but there are quite a few people who apparently sit and watch the nest all day, every day. I assume they are the ones who put up the memorial.)
When this season began Harriet and FV returned together to the nest. Even those who were heartbroken about Ozzie now seem to accept that Harriet's purpose in life is to raise more healthy Eagles and the excitement of watching the nest began again with the new Dad-to-be. Since he has moved in permanently, FV is now known as M-15 for Male 2015. I think the people in charge of the WebCam have decided not to name the Eagles from now on. Since the webcam's second season, the Eaglets too are now just known by numbers. I think this is an effort to keep people from anthropomorphizing the birds. (It is really hard not to do so. Some people are now using "FV" to refer to human beings we know. ;>)))
Two eaglets hatched on January 26 and 27 and as of now the nestlings are doing well. But last month, the younger and smaller of the two got his leg tangled in fish line, brought in with one day's fish dinner. He couldn't move. CROW personnel climbed the tree and rescued the Eaglet, taking him to the Rehab Center for a few days until he fully recovered.
They brought him back to the nest and he was warmly welcomed back by the rest of the family. It was interesting that the parents accepted him back after an absence of a few days.
It was also interesting to hear the explanation of why Animal Rehab could get involved in rescuing the Eaglet from the fish line while they will not get involved with 'rescuing" one of the nestlings when it is bullied by the other (as has happened in past seasons and a little bit this one). In the first instance, the injury is caused by humans. The second, although the 'bullying' behavior made many people think that the weaker bird should be rescued, that would be unethical (and actually illegal) because it is part of the normal cycle of Eagle life.
On the day last week when I took all of these pictures, Harriet flew off the nest while I was watching, made a circle around the pasture and flew back to land on the branch above the nest (the first picture above).
She didn't bring any food — I was hoping to catch a feeding or better yet get a picture of "Dad". But no luck on either count. Apparently M15 usually flies off early in the morning and does not return with food until later in the afternoon. Harriet is having to work extra hard as she trains her new mate!
Here are both the babies — not the greatest picture, but at least they are both poking their heads up out of the nest at the same time.
When I posted a picture of the nest last week, some of you expressed surprise that we could easily visit it on our way to shopping and errands. This area of Fort Myers is more rural than you might think, but farms and undeveloped lands are often surrounded by developments.
The Eagle's tree is in this large horse pasture which lies directly across the street from a major supermarket and strip mall. The picture on the bottom left is taken from the store's parking lot looking across the street … you can see the Eagle gates across the street between the two palm trees.
The church lot where I usually park when I stop is next door to the pasture and the gates are about a long City block down the sidewalk into the other side of the pasture. (The owners, who are the ones who put up and maintain the webcam, allow people in there during the nest season and there is even some parking on their property.)
LINKING this post to SATURDAY CRITTERS; RATHER B' BIRDING; SEASONS; MOSAIC MONDAY; OUR WORLD TUESDAY; NATURE NOTES; TREES&BUSHES; WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY; SIGNS SIGNS; and GOOD FENCES.
Thank you to all of the hosts of these great sharing opportunities.
We appreciate all visitors and commenters! Thank you.