Again this morning for about the third day in a row no one was at the nest or surrounding trees. No one came in as it got lighter out. I'm finding this a bit unusual. Just doesn't seem right. About 7 or so in flies the Sub-Adult that Ted took a photo of last night. I did post this morning it's 41/2-5 yr old but I'm now thinking a 4 - 4 1/2 yr old. It had more black on the tail than I could see at first. Now with that said I do have to say ,I have read that any where from as young as 4 yrs  all the way up to 6 yrs they could look for mates and start breeding but 5 yrs old is the general age.
Ok so now Donna and I have to give this one a name because it has been here more than once. So this one's name is Slim.  He is long and slim so there for Slim..lol Easy right ?! Slim flies in from the NW direction of Bob's poles and heads straight for the nest tree. Slim is perched on the attic branch then goes up a bit higher. He's looking around. We are waiting for Harriet and or M15 to fly in any min now and there's no one. Nothing. Slim stays for about 10 mins then heads  to the tall pine in the west pasture. Another Eagle flies in the nest are and Slim chase this one out. We thought maybe Harriet or M15 but from the photo's I have it's neither one of them. So now we have another Eagle. Slim heads back to the tall pine in the west treeline.Slim is resting and looking around. He moves to another branch to the left not to long after that he takes off towards the NW.
I have to say now, I don't know if Harriet and M15 were at Bob's early this morning. I do not go into someone's neighborhood that time of the morning looking for them nor do I go there on my way home. Where I stop at on my way is not Bob's but another park and I am very quick about getting in and out. I have been at Bob's but I'm very quick about it. I try to respect the folks that live there. Going at  dark time to me is borderline harassment of the Eagles in their quiet place. They go there to get away not to be hunted down.They are not used to ppl showing up there at that time of the morning or the evening.... That's my opinion !
About 5-10 mins later Slim comes back from the NW flies thru the nest area and heads over towards Publix parking lot.WE have another Eagle fly in from the SW and lands in the nest.  Now we're really thinking someone has to be coming in to get this one out of the nest . We wait and wait . No one! WTH is going on this morning ? This new Eagles sits and looks around then flies out of the nest as Slim is coming back from Publix area.Slim flies down into the nest then in comes the other one that just left. Slim is watching and vocalizing as the other one flies around the nest area checking it out. Slim follows the other Eagle across the road towards the publix pond then flies to what we call Harriet's tree. He is vocalizing and then head towards the SE and around like he is doing a check of the territory. This whole time we still haven't seen Harriet or M15 nor Ozzie.
At this point all we have seen at the nest are 2 new Eagles no one else. Now at some point Donna checks out 2 Eagles that were sitting on the cell tower. So now there are the two on the cell tower which one of them could have been the first one in the nest that Slim chased out.
Slim is off again and the first one in the nest came back and is sitting in the nest. Here Comes Slim from the NW again and off goes the other one. This happens a few times. During this whole time we do not see Harriet or M15 . Then we are told Harriet is on Bob's pole. Ok so where is M 15 ??? Hmmm. Now we have Slim,2 other ones on the cell tower and Harriet . Interesting.
Ok so now Slim has pissed off the other Eagle by this time. It's a male from the best I can tell. He comes back in the nest area and is circling going higher and higher and to the NW , then here he comes right for Slim who by now is on a branch to the right were Harriet likes to sit . Bamb right into Slim and then out of the nest tree they go. Flying around the tree by the front pines talons out and locked at one point. Dam what sight to see. At first we thought it was Harriet but was told she was still at Bob's at this time. They break from each other and fly off towards the west tree line up and over and are now way up circling each other then fly off in different directions. Wheww . What a morning. Before I left I did see two Eagles flying NE way behind the Church.No one was at the nest tree. Never did see M15 or Harriet but like I said we were told she was on her pole the whole time.
So now  I don't know what to think. Are we watching a possible nest take over or do we just have a very brave young Eagle and what is going on with Harriet and M15 and where is Ozzie thru all of this.

Slim

The other Guy

Slim

Slim

Slim

The other Guy

The other Guy

The other Guy going after Slim

Slim & The other Guy ..lol

Nestorations and a not so good Bonding attempt

I see two Eagles in Harriet's favorite perching tree. Harriet on a branch to the left and PB way up high  on a branch to the right. Around 6:13 am Harriet vocalizes and then next thing I see PB is gone. It's still dark out and I didn't see which way he went. I'm thinking Harriet didn't either because she does some vocals and looks around. Harriet still vocalizing as the sun comes up and looks around. We're all looking around for PB...lol Harriet still perched ,the Hawks show up on the right pond tree. Ahh they are in their "bonding" or maybe mating mode now. A little hanky panky and they are done. They leave the right pond tree and one of them buzz's Harriet . Oh boy that made Harriet a bit upset and she is letting them know about it too. They leave and Harriet clams down a bit. She's still looking around then does some preening.Harriet leaves the OCT , gets her a  branch that has some moss on it .. then up into the nest she goes. She does some aerating and vocalized again. Still checking here and checking there looking for PB. Hmmm I wonder where he went. For Eagles not flying when it's dark out he sure when some where. I think they can make it from point A to point B how ever far that is.. He went.Harriet sitting by the spike branch looking around again then here comes PB from the NW corner with a  small stick in his talons. Good boy PB .She's been calling you .lol
PB drops off his small sick then goes up to the attic. Harriet is moving the sticks around and PB is watching her. Harriet hops up to the veranda and they have a conversation. They sit that way for a bit then Harriet flies up and joins PB on the attic branch. Now they have a short conversation again,PB looks away Harriet bows her head checking out her talons I guess . PB looks back at Harriet then both are preening. PB is done and of course Harriet is still getting her feathers in place .
Harriet finally done vocalizes then heads up above the attic branch to right . She is looking around at the pine branches.Then he hops up even higher to get a better look. She is checking out what is left of the branch she broke off the other day.Not what she is looking for ,Harriet starts moving out on the branch she is on further out into the pine needles she goes and is looking. Harriet finally finds what she is looking for and off she goes.... well almost Harriet ends up hanging upside down for a second then finally lets go and flies off and around then back into the nest empty taloned. PB drops down along side of Harriet as if to help her but there wasn't anything to help her with. Harriet sits by the spike branch and PB goes to the porch branch.
 Now I have to say PB has really improved on his fly-by and grab something off the tree's whether it be a branch or moss or whatever it is. Pb leaves the porch branch and tries to grab some of the hanging moss on the OCT . Impressed me ! He didn't get much but wow what a try. He takes the way back to the nest with his small amount of moss and proudly deposits it in the nest. Done with that PB hops up to the attic branch again and Harriet is still sitting by the spike branch.
PB leaves the attic branch heading to the left pine tree. He's checking out the moss on this tree. I guess it's not to his liking so PB leaves the tree heads over into the west pasteur flies here then there and finally  finds a small branch to his liking and flies back to the nest tree. Off again he goes and back with another stick. Boy I'm just a praising him like a proud Momma . Thank goodness no one really pays any attention to me when I'm taking photo's or they would think I'm nuts ...LOL
Harriet and PB do some moving of the sticks that were brought in ,then PB heads up to the attic branch to rest a bit.
PB again takes off and heads to the right pond tree this time. I don't know why ,this tree doesn't have much in the way of branches anymore. So PB takes off after looking the tree over and flies over to the NW part of the pasture flying low over here then over there and down to the ground in the west part of the pasture . OK now I can't see him. I wait a bit then up he goes and flying back to the nest with two talons full of dried pine needles. WTG PB !   Boy he is on the ball today.
Harriet is on the attic branch when PB gets back from another stick run so PB joins her up there.
I hear those unmistakeable vocals again. PB flies up on top of Harriet starts off where he is suppose to be but then moves up to high with one of his talons and looks like it's around one side of her neck and he has both of his talons opened..Oh she lets out a squeal and knocks PB off of her and he heads for the veranda. Oh this is not the way to do it PB. Those talons must be closed before you hop up on Harriet ... My ,my my . The poor young thing trying  and  Our Harriet could very possibly get hurt this way. I sure hope he learns quick. Harriet gives PB an earful .
Done with the talking to, Harriet heads off to the west treeline and gets her a stick and back  to the nest. PB is still on the veranda and waits for Harriet to get in the nest to help her.  Then I guess to try and make amends to Harriet PB is off to get another branch , then another , then another.  Harriet gets one too. PB then flies from the porch branch to the pond area then up on the fence on the driveway side and sits there. Wow.  He stays there for abit then flies off to one of the trees in the west pasture. More moss and sticks are brought in then they both rest on the attic branch.There's another conversation then some preening by both. By now it's 9:30 am Both have been working on the nest . PB has really stepped up the pace tho.
Harriet moves up to the higher branch she was at earlier. It's now 10:30 am and Harriet  leaves heading across the road then back behind Publix where the Vultures are flying . PB takes off in the same direction as Harriet.
Wow what a busy morning they had. I'm sure I missed a few sticks and got a few things out of order but at least you all have an idea of what they did today.

First "Bonding" Harriet and PB

As I sit here and write this, it's with Joy and Heartbreak. Harriet and PB had their first "bonding" this morning at 7:05 am. The joy of knowing there could be eggs this season and the heartbreak that to Me ,finally this really shows that Harriet has moved on and so far has accepted PB as her mate.  I do realize that anything can still happen. There are so many possible scenarios.
But for now PB has stepped up to the plate and has shown he can do this. No more practicing on the branch and flashing Harriet ...LOL
Donna just got done saying that PB better show Harriet what he can do or she just might replace him. Maybe he heard her??? In my excitement ,I did not get a photo but Donna did.

So now we move on from here. Hopefully more nestoration more "bonding" then of course the mating will start. Should be around the end of October when they will be getting serious about mating. Remember Harriet has laid eggs within the middle to 3rd week of Nov the past 2 seasons. First season was in Dec for January hatches.
Good information at the link below:
http://www.hancockwildlife.org/forum/viewtopic.php?topic=694449#694449

Hopefully bonding will continue between Harriet and PB. Nothing is "permanent " nothing is "cemented" even if they raise a clutch. Look at what we are seeing right now. Ozzie and Harriet a well bonded pair for over 20 yrs and at this point in time , the bond is broken.
I truly with all my heart thought I wouldn't see this between Harriet and PB. Everything we have been told and read didn't really prepare us ..ME  for this. I look back at all that has happened and the way Harriet and PB were, I missed what was really happening . They had already begun the "getting to  know you" way back when Ozzie was first missing and at CROW and PB came in and chased away all the other Eagles.  He won.. if you want to say at that point in time Harriet and the territory. PB freed up Harriet to finish raising E6.  I didn't see it. I knew where Ozzie was and knew he was going to come home one day soon. So my eyes were clouded over to what was really going on.
In my mind,if Harriet didn't want PB around she would have gotten rid of him after E6 left. Or maybe even before. She didn't leave the area which had me concerned that she might without Ozzie around. Harriet made it clear that this is HER territory and nest and she planned on staying.  PB also helped make this possible by being with her and doing what the male does , patrolling, protecting the territory.Now it's PB's territory and nest too. So much I see now that I really didn't see at the being of their"relationship."   There was always the thought and  hope of Ozzie coming back.
Now, I know we still have to be cautious, prepared ,  understand that things could change at any moment. A stronger more mature Male or another Female could come in and change the whole game plan. Ozzie could possible come home.  But I'll worry with that IF and when it happens right now I'm watching and learning about the here and now.  All that matters is that they are working on the nest, "bonding" and moving forward as a new pair and we are just along for the ride no matter where it takes us. Hopefully it  will be with eggs, hatches, and successful fledglings.  What a great time to be witnessing this all come about. A young Male on his journey to be a first time Dad. A mature Female showing him the way and continuing her legacy. How totally awesome is this that we get to see it first hand !?   I'm thrilled !  Are you ?  I hope so .....


Link to Donna McMurrer's photo of the "bonding" this morning.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207555738471237&set=o.432568663467061&type=1&theater

Harriet and PB work the nest together. Teamwork

As I head to the nest this morning I'm watching the lighting light up the sky to the south and hope it doesn't rain. I also think to myself.. I would love to capture that in a photo one day. Ahhh someday I'll work on that. There's a lot to learn and equipment to buy. Someday .
I arrive at the nest and I see Harriet and PB on the old cam 2 tree. Harriet on a lower branch and PB above her. I get all set up and take a few pics. I sit looking up into the sky and the stars are just beautiful. No clouds in the way so I could see a lot more of them this morning. What a great day it's going to be I think to myself. I also think of all the lives we lost on this day 14 yrs ago and where I was. I remember it like it was yesterday....
   I talk to Harriet and PB like I always do. I ask them what will they be doing today and of course I never get an answer ..LOL Go figure.  
Soon I'm joined by Donna. Harriet has turned around on her branch,PB stretches his wing. Harriet flies into the nest and PB is still on OCT.  Harriet is aerating the nest and I think she was also making a list . PB flies from the OCT and to the outer branch left where he tries to get a pine branch and ends up hanging upside down. He finally lets go ,flies out and around back into the nest with Harriet.LOL I thought I had the video going but didn't and missed the whole thing.  NO video ,No photo. Donna did get a photo tho. Jeff made it but didn't see PB in his attempt to get the pine branch.
   PB hops up to the attic branch while Harriet stays in the nest. PB then leaves the attic branch and then I see he come from the other side of the big tree. Not sure where he went to but heads back up into the nest. Jeff said it looked like he had a small stick. Good job PB. Your on the ball this morning.
Of course Harriet always helpful , helps PB try to place his stick. A bit of beaking breaks out and Harriet gives up...LOL  Harriet hops up to the attic branch,PB then goes to the front pine doesn't stay long then heads for the nest tree then tries for some pine on the upper right of the tree missed it and heads off towards the west pasture tree line.PB lands in the tall pine and stays there for awhile. Harriet still in the nest tree on the attic branch now. Preening and vocalizing off and on.PB preening and ignoring Harriet. Funny watching them do this. Maybe she was really giving PB more of a Honey Do list and he was taking it all in ?  PB after sitting and preening finally heads back to the nest with a small stick tucked in close to his tail. I guess he did listen to Harriet..lol
After placing his stick PB heads to the attic branch and I really thought this time there would be whoopee but nooo,PB still doesn't have it down right. PB ...you have to get off the branch and onto Harriet next time. Maybe he is still a bit leery of our Harriet. You know,not sure if she will go after him or not. Ahh Harriet you're such a Cougar  you scare the young guy.
Harriet then leaves for the front pine and is looking for a stick or maybe even some pine. Yep she has a little bitty stick and a small bit of moss hanging from it.  PB drops down into the nest to help Harriet out. Beaking is just apart of stick laying I think..lol Something they have to do. Harriet lets PB do his thing and walks up on the veranda.PB don with placement of the small stick ,hops up to the attic branch again then Harriet joins him. Harriet vocalizes and PB answers her back. They vocalize a few times then Harriet is looking for branch of pine she wants above her. She hops up a branch and keeps looking. She moves to her left ,nope nothing there looks to the right higher up ,nope then she sits and looks around a bit.Then she moves further out to her left looking around there. Nope nothing to her liking there. Does a PS then flies to the right ,just above PB and got her a branch with pine on it. I big one too. Down she glides past PB past the nest down she goes then swoops up and out towards the OCT and past a bit comes back around and headed for the nest tree coming in from the porch branch side with a perfect landing in the nest. Awesome to watch. Amazing how she ,when just before reaching the nest she adjusts the branch just right so she can land in the nest.  
PB gives Harriet time to get the branch in the nest then hops down to "help" her out...lol
This time I think Harriet just gets out of the way and lets him do what he has to do. Well it turned out PB left it where Harriet put it but was picking some of the pine needles off . Maybe he thought it was good right where Harriet had put it.
Harriet taking a timeout  PB hops back up to the attic branch. It seems like he likes that spot. PB takes off again and of course I was not ready for the close fly-by PB did. But I did get a lot of butt shots as he headed back to the nest. From what I could see ,PB had him another small stick in his talons. Your on fire today PB ! Good job!
He lands next to Harriet. While PB is placing his stick Harriet moves some of the pine . Both take a break. Harriet is standing by the edge  of the nest facing us. Beautiful ! PB is by the spike branch.
Once  again ,PB heads up to the attic branch and Harriet stays in the nest and preening her tail feathers. PB watches her from time to time. Then PB takes off again this time back towards the pond area. Flies under and around one tree then another ,then over the pond and around back towards another tree and under the branches and I'm trying to keep up with him. Then finally the landing gear is deployed and I'm thinking OK good , nope he flies a little further then he lands in the tall grass. He walks around just a bit then off he goes again. Back towards the pond again this time on the left then over the fence and off towards the NE treeline then back towards the west. Where in the hell are you going I'm thinking to myself and still trying to keep up with him. PB is flying low then swoops up to the pine tree he was in earlier. Phew ! Thank you ! Now to get a few shots of him before he decides to leave again which he did and I lost him. The next thing Jeff and I know ,we hear Harriet vocalizing and there's PB in the nest again. I have no idea where he came from . All I know is I lost him in the west pasture treeline some where.LOL
It looks like he brought in another branch. Done with that again PB heads up to the attic branch while Harriet stays in the nest. Harriet has been vocalizing off and on the whole morning but this time something about the vocals this time makes PB take off  across the road. At first it looked like he was going to the pond but he turned left and when up into the tall pine. Harriet by now has gone up to the veranda and vocalizing. Not like there was something around , just vocalizing.
This is how I left them around 9:24 am. PB across the road in the pine and Harriet on the veranda.
It was a great morning. It really made mine and Jeff's day to see them working together on the nest. It may not be an Ozzie nest but it's a PB nest for now.  He's young and will learn as they go.

Harriet bottom branch ,PB above her and no there's nothing on my lens those are blurred stars..lol 

Harriet after she got the pine branch

Harriet 

Harriet

Harriet

PB

Harriet left,PB right

Harriet see's PB coming

PB

PB

Harriet 

Harriet in the nest PB above 

PB

PB

PB