Friday, October 23, 2015

I had an apt. this morning so I wasn't at the nest early but did get there before Harriet left and met up with M15.
Dona was there early and she told me that Harriet spent the night in the nest again. I did see one on the attic branch and did hear Harriet so I thought it was Harriet and couldn't find another in the nest tree from looking at the cams. You know it wasn't focusing very well this morning and of course my eyes weren't either. That will all change soon. Yep getting the eyes done so I can see much better.
Enough about me back to Harriet and M15. Dona let me know M15 did get a stick from across the road. Then she said he made like he was going for a stick in one the tree's in the west pasture but after going from tree to tree he just kept going. LOL Sneaky little guy. She said it looked like he might have gone to the poles. Harriet was on the attic branch when I got there. She was vocalizing and doing some preening then looking to the west. Maybe she knew where M15 had gone to...Well of course she did. She can see things that we can't and further than we can sitting way up there.
I got some photo's of Harriet.I even walked around to the sidewalk to get a better view of Harriet. Then Harriet vocalizes and off she went to the cell tower flew down and around landing in her tree over by the parking lot at Publix. I look to the cell tower and there is another Eagle there vocalizing too. From the right of me I see M15 flying . He's headed over to Harriet and lands next to her . Both are vocalizing and then there is another Eagle with the one on the cell tower and they are all vocalizing. So I wonder if the cell tower is going to be a spot in question of whose territory it belongs in? We know Harriet and M15 sit there and so does the other couple when they are not there. If the River Bend couple are still around this could be them or just maybe we have a new couple in the area. Could it be who ever gets there first? Like King of the hill???    Hopefully it will be just a vocal thing about the cell tower as time gets closer for eggs. This is just an observation ... we have noticed here lately that Harriet has been a bit more vocal not only with the little birds but with the other Eagles, Hawks and what not.Is it just Harriet been Harriet or could it be a way of letting them know more now that egg laying is getting closer  this is My territory my nest and to beware sorta speak ??? I mean she even get's a bit snippy with the Starlings at times. It's understandable with the Crows and Grackles. They are just  annoying any way. lol
We have also observed Harriet doing more preening in the front of her around the area of where the brood patch will be. We just haven't seen it yet. I know the male get's one too but never did see Ozzie's as well as I have Harriet's.I realize according to Harriet's "normale" egg laying time , it's a bit of a way off but what "if ", just what "if" she lays earlier this time could she be getting a brood patch ready? Here is a photo of an Eagle with a brood patch. NOT ONE OF OUR's !!!
"Both male and female eagles form a brood patch--a bare spot on their tummy where they can press their hot skin directly against the eggs or chicks to keep them warm. The female's brood patch is a little bigger and more feather-free than the male's. And the female incubates the eggs more often than the male does."

There are other things that we have been observing and are waiting to see if they possibly have anything to do with Harriet getting even closer to egg laying and the changing in appearances that we have noticed to also see if they have anything to do with bonding / mating. We are NOT researchers, biologists or anything like that .We are just seeing and wondering about things we see and can't find any research on it. Being at the nest everyday like we are,we see things and wonder. Oh the questions we have for a averian biologist if one were to ever show up at the nest.LOL

  Dona left and I stayed a bit. I gathered up the things that were left for Ozzie's Memorial. I checked the cell tower one last time before I left to go to the Pritchetts office to give them the stuff. I met Mr. Pritchett, Andy and Ginni's Dad. Very nice man. We talked a bit about Ozzie which brought tears to my eyes. I think Mr. Pritchett had some too. He asked if we're going to have eggs early and I told him I just don't know. Only Harriet does and she's not telling us...LOL  I thanked him again for the new cams and all then left. I checked out the cell tower and the tree Harriet and M15 were in ..yep everyone still there. I laughed and shook my head then head home.

Harriet preening this Morning.





















   

Harriet before she left for the tree at Publix.

Harriet's brood patch from last year .