Well, my prediction was off by a day, but over at EagleCam the first egg has hatched–only two minutes ago, according to eagle-eyed correspondent Jack. I haven’t yet seen the chick, which is being kept warm under the mother, but I did see the eggshell.
A YouTube video has just been posted showing the first view of the bobblehead. Look!:
And here’s a photo of the fluffball from a series highlighted by Diane G.:
And don’t forget to tune into HummingbirdCam, where two babies are already on view.
We were lucky .. watching when BOTH parents were on the nest, lots of activity going on. The actual hatching could not be seen, but at some point, daddy took off, and momma grabbed the eggshell from under her and tossed it aside. She then spread her wings a bit and sat down again. (All the time facing away from the camera).
Here I am, a grown man, all teary eyed and emotional about an eagle chick. WooHoo!
.. so, anyway, yes, daddy was present during …er.. would you call this birth?
We should be able to see more of the chick, hopefully in a few hours, since: (from cam moderator) “The young are directly fed the raw meat from the day they hatch (generally within a couple of hours). Eagles do not regurgitate food like some other birds do.”
The other eggs are supposed to hatch close to the first one.
I get that’s why dad flew off: to get some food (or get a stiff drink in a nearby pub).
‘get’ = ‘guess’
She is shaking back and worth against the sides of the nest, does anyone know what sort of behavior this is (maybe she’s just scratching?)
Little bobble head sighted!
I saw it for a split instant. I only saw an orb of fluff, no face 🙁
Gooooooooooood morning baby eagle bobblehead!
Video!
AWWWWWWWW! So sweet!!!
My kids would have behaved better if I had claws like that.
AWWWWWW IIIIIIIT’S AAAA BAAAAAAABYYYYYYY
/maternal neoteny reflex
It’s flailing around in the hay and Mom is looking at it very intently 🙂
Daddy is home, everyone’s vocalizing! Wish I could hear it. Mom and Dad look like they’re not quite sure what to do with the thing, they didn’t get a manual.
If I can’t find the manual, I download it from the internet. What’s a matter with these birds, anyway?
Meanwhile, check this – 60+y/o albatross is a mother again: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/2011-03-09-bird09_ST_N.htm
And see some still shots here:
http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2011/03/13/first-eaglet-of-the-2011-season/
Happy hatching day!
Amid death and destruction–this is absolutely beautiful to watch. Thank you. We’ll be tuning in tonight (assuming we have power…) to see babies!
AWWWWW – I go away a few days, and now there’s an EAGLET!
I think I may swoon and get no work done.
Right this minute mom is feeding baby some fish!!!