Wednesday, November 4, 2015

2 Matings, Nestorations with a show of sexual arousal too ??

Harriet was in the nest tree by herself this morning.M15 came in from the west pasture a little after 6:00 am. M15 lands in the nest and Harriet is talking to him. She had been calling out to him off and on since around 4:22 am before I left for the nest. I didn't hear him call back at all while she was vocalizing.Harriet drops down into the nest both are in the nest  checking things out for the day. After being busy yesterday I was wondering if they would stay and work on the nest some more. Soon I got my answer. M15 was off and flying towards the front pines and got a  nice stick. M15 lands and Harriet tries to help him with placement but M15 does it himself. M15 hops up to the veranda Harriet is still in the nest. M15 looking around and Harriet just sitting there looking at M15 . I 'm taking pics and said to myself "Don't poop on Harriet ,don't poop on Harriet " and sure enough, M15 pooped on Harriet. Donna and I bust out laughing. You should have seen the look on Harriet's face. Priceless !  




 Harriet looks at us like "Did you see what He just did?" Yes Harriet we did. Well to make up for what He just did ,M15 flies to the front pine and gets a nice branch with pine on it. That a boy. Harriet might forgive you  with that .

 While M15 is placing his pine Harriet hops up to the veranda. M15 joins her and there is a discussion. At first I thought maybe mating but it just might have been a talking to about the poop shoot M15 did.
M15 flies to the attic branch and Harriet joins him. We have mating for the first time this morning.I guess that made up for the PS.























Now I want to show you all something that Donna pointed out to me one evening when she was at the nest and M15 saw Harriet coming and was vocalizing his hello/welcome home and thought there was going to mating but it didn't happen. So since that day we have been looking for it to happen again just before mating to see if this is really happening. M15 we noticed unfurls/ opens up his feathers right there at the brood patch as they are vocalizing in what maybe a sexual arousal show? Now we did see Harriet do the same thing with the second mating this morning.
This is M15 just before the first mating. He is to the right of Harriet. Look at his feathers.





















The  2 photo's above show Harriet's brood spot opening up. Now I know we haven't seen her brood patch but if M15 has one ,Harriet has one too.  So we find this very interesting and so far can not find any information on it. So if anyone reading this has some thing ,Please share it if you will.
OK back to the happenings of the morning....
Done with mating both sit and preen for a bit and just hang out. Donna leaves for a few Min's and as she is leaving she tells me to look at the sun with the fog covering it makes it look like the Moon was still out. So I turn around and wow . She was right.
















So now we have the fog coming in which makes getting photo's a bit harder for me. Oh well I do the best I can so for give me for some of the shots you will be seeing.
I turn back around and Harriet is in the nest. Donna makes it back ,then M15 flies to the right pond tree. Looking around he doesn't find any sticks so he flies to the tree closest to the pond. Lands on a lower branch and is looking around. He drops down to the ground and is gathering some old pine needles , moss and a small stick. WTG M15 the nest sure needs all of that.



















So now I'm getting closer to checking off some of the  things on my list. Yep it's getting closer.
M15 makes it back to the nest with all of his materials and Harriet helps him place it. Well some of it...LOL














With this done Harriet hops up to the attic branch and M15 follows Well Harriet starts vocalizing and side kicks M15. Poor M15 with his head down is just taking it. Then when Harriet is done M15 picks at one of his toes and Harriet is just looking at him and I just start laughing.  These two are so much fun to watch.



















After M15 is done picking at his toe ,he turns around and we have mating #2 . Photo's are up above .
Both sit with their heads bowed for a few Min's then Harriet goes to the front pine and gets a small stick. Harriet places her stick and moves a few others . She then goes to the porch branch. Next she heads over to the left pond tree. From there she to the front tree's and gets a stick and heads back to the nest. Harriet again heads out and gets her some more pine and M15 heads over to the west pasture tree line for a stick and heads back to the nest. Sticks in place both rest for a bit. Harriet on  a higher branch and M15 on the attic. Well Harriet spots a small stick she just had to have in the nest. She moves up higher and ends up spread Eagle trying to get it. What she does end up with is some dried up pine needles instead.





















Harriet heads over to the west pasture tree again and brings back another stick. Boy what a day. Both rest a bit then M15  leaves the nest and heads over to the tree's by the parking lot. Not sure if he stayed there or not. Harriet stay until 10:00 am preening and vocalizing off and on then heads off past the Church heading NE .

3 comments:

  1. They don't have anything specific to raptors, but I found this enlightening, nonetheless and fairly accurate to what we are observing. I'll post the link as well. Do I feel we are observing sexual arousal? Bet your bottom dollar I do. There are a great deal of hormones stimulating both of them right now. There is some good information on that too ( http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/avianreproduction.html). But the link below starts with some of the basics and addresses some of your observations.

    Types of Bird Courtship Behavior
    Displays: Flamboyant plumage colors and elaborate displays of prominent feathers, skin sacs or body shape can show off how strong and healthy a bird is, advertising its suitability as a mate. Peafowl are one of the best known bird species for their stunning display with the males’ extensive fan, though other birds may use subtle changes in posture to show off their plumage to the best effect.

    http://birding.about.com/od/birdingbasics/a/courtshipbehavior.htm

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  2. Riv Thank You SO Much for the links. Donna and I were pretty sure but couldn't find any thing. Maybe I share your post on my Photo page?

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  3. Hi, wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading this blog, thank you. When you see M15 do that 'thing' he does with his wings, and I've seen it too, Don't you think he's getting ready to fly up to her back? .... skuzzabuzz

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