Watching the eagles

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Poor Duchess continues to sit on her eggs.

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The three amigos continue to grow quick on the Farm Country nest.

A wet day on the nest.

 

[Biggie]

The transformation from grey ball of fluff to majestic Eagles is nothing short of a natural miracle.

 

[Long Lashes]

Well there was a lot of this going on in January before the eggs come about so I think they are fertile. This is a family forum so I'll put the image in the spoiler.

Spoiler

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Oh I see it certainly does look like the eggs must be fertile after all that action.

Poor Duchess continues to sit on her eggs.

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Ooo she makes me feel so sad.

I watch all the activity going on with Lipstick and Guy and their three eaglets and then I go and check on Duchess ... and she is so alone, like a one parent family, having to find food for herself and doing all the incubating.




Here are her eggs ..

.. they've been left alone and in the cold so often I think they have little hope of hatching. I wonder how long Duchess will continue to sit on them once the possibility of any chicks passes?



she doesn't seem to want to give up bless her, even in the rain she protects them .. .

meanwhile, Duke behaves like a single guy, coming and going as he pleases and showing little responsibility for Duchess or his eggs ...

he doesn't seem to have a clue whats going on. .. ^^ Duchess flew off for a break and instead of staying on the nest he just followed her ^^

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The three amigos continue to grow quick on the Farm Country nest.

A wet day on the nest.

Crikey! they are literally growing right before my very eyes , you can see a differnce in them from day to day, its amazing to watch.

The three amigos

I like this name! .. its so hard to tell them apart when there are more than two, the three Amigos suits them Michelle





I really enjoy seeing the interactions between Lipstick and Guy, they are very in tune with each other, but this made me laugh ...

^^ Guy was sitting on the eaglets and Lipstick wanted him to move so she could take over and she deliberately stands on his tail to try and get him up




Here they look like they are having a bit of a domestic ..

Lol! .. the way they are looking at each other





And finally heres a blob of eaglets ...

^^ with full tummies and tired eyes, they've melted into one big bundle

The transformation from grey ball of fluff to majestic Eagles is nothing short of a natural miracle.

It never ceases to astonish me how fast they grow, every year I still get that 'wow' feeling as I see them grow. I've noticed recently they are already starting to grow their first feathers, they change so quickly.

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Poor Duchess is still trying to be a good mother even when all hope seems list this year.

It's sad that she don't have a mate willing to help. Maybe next year.

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Meanwhile the Three Amigos are growing quick at Lipstick and Guys nest.

 

[9unfold]

Amazing footage and photos. Thanks for your efforts.

 

[Biggie]

Poor Duchess is still trying to be a good mother even when all hope seems list this year.

This feels terribly cruel of nature.

On the other hand, stunning photos courtesy of nature.

 

[DallasFanForever]

I’m feeling very conflicted here this year. Happy for what’s going on with the one nest yet hating myself for feeling that way because of what’s going on with the other. A sad reminder of just how precious and fragile life is.

 

[Biggie]

I’m feeling very conflicted here this year. Happy for what’s going on with the one nest yet hating myself for feeling that way because of what’s going on with the other. A sad reminder of just how precious and fragile life is.

Well said.

 

[Long Lashes]

This feels terribly cruel of nature.

On the other hand, stunning photos courtesy of nature.

Perfectly put @Biggie

I’m feeling very conflicted here this year. Happy for what’s going on with the one nest yet hating myself for feeling that way because of what’s going on with the other. A sad reminder of just how precious and fragile life is.

Yes, very well said DFF. Its certainly a tale of two very different nests this year , the two pairs of adult eagles are very different in their behaviour., which is probably due to age and experience.

To keep my spirits up I usually look in on Duchess first before going over to Lipstick and Guy's webcam, I always feel sad for her and I so wish Duke would support her .

At the moment one of her eggs looks cracked, is this a baby eaglet trying to hatch? or is it a damaged egg? .. I really don't know ..

^^you can see the little hole in the egg as Duchess rolls them^^ ... I guess we will find out in the next 24 hours what the outcome will be.

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Duchess deserves a fella like Guy who provides masses of food all day long and if forever repairing the nest.




Lipstick and Guy are a great partnership, I can't praise them enough.

^^ Here they are enjoying a meal together (I dread to think what it is..Lol) whilst the Three Amigos are flat out in a food coma nearby.

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

To my amazement Duchess' first egg has hatched! I had thought the time was up and the eggs had been too exposed to the cold to have been alive. I'm glad I'm wrong.

Now the hard part, feed and defending this little guy. I hope the other egg hatches and Duke become a productive father.

..... and then tragedy struck!

Duke killed the little eaglet. Heartbreaking!

Rest In Peace eaglet Eclipse.

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Lipstick and Guys trio are now entering the teenage phase.

 

[9unfold]

Why would Duke do that? It's not right.

The trio are doing well.

 

[Long Lashes]

To my amazement Duchess' first egg has hatched! I had thought the time was up and the eggs had been too exposed to the cold to have been alive. I'm glad I'm wrong.

This was against all the odds , I too thought there was absolutely no hope. Thank you for posting this video Michelle I never got to see the eaglet until I watched this.

..... and then tragedy struck!

Duke killed the little eaglet. Heartbreaking!

Oh this is so very tragic and it made me cry, the poor little eaglet. Its too sad for Duchess and her eaglet and I'm angry and confused by Duke .. did he think it was food? was there something wrong with it? or perhaps Duke is just too immature this year?

I don't think Duchess knows Duke killed it as she was having a break away from the nest when he did the deed.

Why would Duke do that? It's not right.

I guess we will never know why he killed it, It all seems so wrong and extreme doesn't it @9unfold , but what Duke did might happen more than we realise?

This year is certainly a learning curve for both Duke and Duchess and to be honest I was worried about their chicks since she first laid the eggs, she would have had a very hard time taking care of hungry demanding eaglets on her own.






I've just this minute checked in on Duchess and there she is sat on the other egg (which looks very damaged) and the poor little eaglet is still there on the edge of the nest. I always feel sad watching her, but exceptionally sad today and she is so beautiful.

Rest In Peace eaglet Eclipse.

Poor little mite


I've needed to remind myself how nature is wondrously fascinating but can be extremely tough and heartbreaking to watch. Not every Eagle pair are as in tune and as attentive as Lipstick and Guy ... its unfair of me to judge Duke and Duchess by their standards.

What a rotten day though.

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

This was against all the odds , I too thought there was absolutely no hope. Thank you for posting this video Michelle I never got to see the eaglet until I watched this.

I was writing this reply this morning soon after the little eaglet was visible when I read it was killed by Duke. I didn't see the killing but it was shocking.

Oh this is so very tragic and it made me cry, the poor little eaglet. Its too sad for Duchess and her eaglet and I'm angry and confused by Duke .. did he think it was food? was there something wrong with it? or perhaps Duke is just too immature this year?

I'm guessing he thought it was food such as a mouse or chipmunk not knowing it's something to take care of. This surely happens often and he just don't know. It's just as great shock to see and shows how cruel nature can be. With some luck Duke will be a good parent like Guy and Freedom.

This year is certainly a learning curve for both Duke and Duchess and to be honest I was worried about their chicks since she first laid the eggs, she would have had a very hard time taking care of hungry demanding eaglets on her own.

That was my concern as well. The tough part was feeding this little guy with only one parent really on the mission. Viewers have said this was the second of the two eggs.

I've just this minute checked in on Duchess and there she is sat on the other egg (which looks very damaged) and the poor little eaglet is still there on the edge of the nest. I always feel sad watching her, but exceptionally sad today and she is so beautiful.


Poor little mite

Such a short life. I'm still in shock that it hatched, more then the eaglet being killed by Duke.

I've needed to remind myself how nature is wondrously fascinating but can be extremely tough and heartbreaking to watch. Not every Eagle pair are as in tune and as attentive as Lipstick and Guy ... its unfair of me to judge Duke and Duchess by their standards.

What a rotten day though.

Exactly! Give this pair a few years to get it down.

 

[Long Lashes]

I didn't see the killing but it was shocking.

I'm glad you didn't see that Michelle, it would be hard to forget that scene. I dare not read back the comments on the website in case I come across a photo or video clip , I'd rather avoid that.

I'm guessing he thought it was food such as a mouse or chipmunk not knowing it's something to take care of. This surely happens often and he just don't know. It's just as great shock to see and shows how cruel nature can be.

Yes you're probably right and its hard to accept what he did, but I've watched eagles bringing fish still alive and flapping back to the nest to eat or dead chickens etc. those are real creatures too. I am biased in favour of the eagles though, which is hypocritical of me.

Such a short life. I'm still in shock that it hatched, more then the eaglet being killed by Duke.

From joy to devastation all within an hour.

With some luck Duke will be a good parent like Guy and Freedom.

Yes, I like to think so too .. I think we have come a long way Michelle in our eagle watching, well I certainly have......what I mean is, if this had happened the first year we watched that nest it might have completely put me off from watching them ever again and I'd have hated Duke.

Over the last few years we've experienced some cruel and sad sights but have had to learn to accept that its nature, that some things happen for a reason even though we don't understand or like it. It helps that we can share it with others on here too.


Thanks for letting me waffle on about this everyone, its been quite a day in eagle-land.

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

I'm glad you didn't see that Michelle, it would be hard to forget that scene. I dare not read back the comments on the website in case I come across a photo or video clip , I'd rather avoid that.

I was typing in delight when I saw that the egg had hatched. I really didn't believe it until I saw the little eaglet. When I was typing the previous post I was still reading the comments on the cam feed and people were horrified with Duke. He had left and I didn't see a thing but wasn't really surprised since he was a young eagle and didn't know better.

I did see a video of the actual death. It's not too grisly, just sad. When Duke had killed the little eaglet one of it's little wings moved and that almost brought me to tears. It fought so hard to be brought into this world and only lived a few hours.

Yes you're probably right and its hard to accept what he did, but I've watched eagles bringing fish still alive and flapping back to the nest to eat or dead chickens etc. those are real creatures too. I am biased in favour of the eagles though, which is hypocritical of me.

Such a good point. Many of those animal are still alive when they are being torn apart to feed an eaglet or an eagle. We just got attached to this story. We all have to eat something to live, plant or animal. It's just not easy knowing the story behind it.

From joy to devastation all within an hour.

Indeed.

Yes, I like to think so too .. I think we have come a long way Michelle in our eagle watching, well I certainly have......what I mean is, if this had happened the first year we watched that nest it might have completely put me off from watching them ever again and I'd have hated Duke.

Over the last few years we've experienced some cruel and sad sights but have had to learn to accept that its nature, that some things happen for a reason even though we don't understand or like it. It helps that we can share it with others on here too.

So well put! We have been watching since I think 2018 so we are veteran eagle watchers now. I had expect this to end with bad eggs and a glimmer of surprising hope was short.

Thanks for letting me waffle on about this everyone, its been quite a day in eagle-land.

Waffle away! It sure has been. I think the Duchess nest is done for the year. We'll see what happens in the days ahead but we still have the Three Amigos to watch for some time to come.

 

[Long Lashes]

When I was typing the previous post I was still reading the comments on the cam feed and people were horrified with Duke.

I can imagine it was a complete shock to watch it unfold 'live' as it happened, seeing what Duke did might have put some of the eagle watchers off.

He had left and I didn't see a thing but wasn't really surprised since he was a young eagle and didn't know better.

I do wonder if Duke has never seen an eaglet before? its possible he hasn't, same goes for Duchess who didn't appear to show much concern for that little eaglet suddenly not being alive.

We have been watching since I think 2018 so we are veteran eagle watchers now. I had expect this to end with bad eggs and a glimmer of surprising hope was short.

Yes thats very true and thankfully we do see a lot of wonderful sights which make up for the cruelty of nature. It can be a very emotional time watching these wild eagles.

Waffle away!

Thank you .. it been like therapy being able to chat about what happened on this thread.

I think the Duchess nest is done for the year.

Yes she is now.


This was her early this morning ...

her feathers are stunning.


I've just been on her webcam and discovered that Duchess ate the remaining egg this morning, it was very damaged and not viable so in a way its a relief as we won't have to watch her sitting on a .. no-hope egg .. for days, that would be cruel for her.

The nest is completely empty right now, Duchess flew off after consuming the egg. I imagine she is very tired and hungry.

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Meanwhile on the other nest ..



Guy continues to stock the larder full of food for his babies ..

^^that is quite a big fish he's brought with him ^^ (poor fish)





And the Three Amigos are as hungry as ever ..

As the days pass and the eaglets grow bigger then Guy and Lipstick need to provide even more food to fill up the expanding tummies. They are great parents.

Its remarkable the difference in sizes. The egg that hatches first .. even by just a few hours gives that eaglet a big advantage over its siblings and he/she rules the nest.

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

I can imagine it was a complete shock to watch it unfold 'live' as it happened, seeing what Duke did might have put some of the eagle watchers off.

That would have been terrible to see live just so son after the little one arrived. At least I knew what was going to happen. It really upset so many people.

I do wonder if Duke has never seen an eaglet before? its possible he hasn't, same goes for Duchess who didn't appear to show much concern for that little eaglet suddenly not being alive.

I doubt it. This may happen quite often as yesterday the same thing happened on another nest about an hour away in Shepherdstown, West Virginia where the young male killed a newborn eaglet.

Duchess ate the old egg and the remains of the dead eaglet yesterday. I wonder how long she will sit on an empty nest?

Yes thats very true and thankfully we do see a lot of wonderful sights which make up for the cruelty of nature. It can be a very emotional time watching these wild eagles.

I get the feeling this happens often and who knows Freedom and Guy could have eaten eaglets early in their lives too, same too for Liberty and Lipstick.

Thank you .. it been like therapy being able to chat about what happened on this thread.

Indeed!

This was her early this morning ...

her feathers are stunning.

They are, she's been though a lot. Hopefully she bonds well with Duke or another mate over the Summer. It's to 2025 for this nest.

I've just been on her webcam and discovered that Duchess ate the remaining egg this morning, it was very damaged and not viable so in a way its a relief as we won't have to watch her sitting on a .. no-hope egg .. for days, that would be cruel for her.

The nest is completely empty right now, Duchess flew off after consuming the egg. I imagine she is very tired and hungry.

It's empty for the year.

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Guy continues to stock the larder full of food for his babies ..

^^that is quite a big fish he's brought with him ^^ (poor fish)

They grow so fast!

And the Three Amigos are as hungry as ever ..

As the days pass and the eaglets grow bigger then Guy and Lipstick need to provide even more food to fill up the expanding tummies. They are great parents.

They are indeed great parents. Look at those feet!

Its remarkable the difference in sizes. The egg that hatches first .. even by just a few hours gives that eaglet a big advantage over its siblings and he/she rules the nest.

Thank goodness they were born so close in time. Remember last year (I think) when they had four eaglets the youngest had died maybe because of being bopped too much by the elder siblings. A few days matter so much for these eaglets.

 

[Long Lashes]

This may happen quite often as yesterday the same thing happened on another nest about an hour away in Shepherdstown, West Virginia where the young male killed a newborn eaglet.

Oh wow, another one?

perhaps the parent eagles in Shepherdstown where young too and had no experience of eaglets, it seems so tragic, but I suppose out in the wild this is how they learn. I can't help feeling sad for the tiny eaglets though.

Duchess ate the old egg and the remains of the dead eaglet yesterday.

Oh my goodness that sounds so brutal, but again, this is nature and probably the best way to dispose of things.

I wonder how long she will sit on an empty nest?

No sign of her today at all, I've kept looking and apparently she didn't sleep on the nest last night either. I hope she is alright .. she is probably enjoying a taste of being free again with the time to hunt and feed herself properly.

I just want to see her.

I get the feeling this happens often and who knows Freedom and Guy could have eaten eaglets early in their lives too, same too for Liberty and Lipstick.

How true that is, we have no idea how Freedom and Liberty or Guy and Lipstick reacted to their very first eggs and eaglets. I still miss seeing Freedom and Liberty.

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. Look at those feet!

.. how I love those comedy feet.

they are actually almost the same size as a fully grown eagle, it must feel like they are walking around in shoes which are ten sizes too big for them


It seems that every time I look in on them they are either eating or sleeping off the food. Lipstick and Guy provide so well for them. Sometimes they've tried to feed the eaglets one or more turn away because they are already too full.




Here's the proud Dad this morning with his youngsters ...

^^I dread to think what animal the blood on Guy's beak is from^^^




This one is of Lipstick yesterday ..

She has her wings spread again to protect the eaglets, but not from the rain this time .. she was giving them some shade from the midday sun. She thinks of everything




And then when it was cooler this morning they got covered in hay ...

:love7:

Thank goodness they were born so close in time. Remember last year (I think) when they had four eaglets the youngest had died maybe because of being bopped too much by the elder siblings. A few days matter so much for these eaglets.

Last year was very sad for eaglet #4 ... it was so very tiny and didn't stand a chance against its much bigger and stronger siblings in their fight to be fed and for shelter

 

[Biggie]

Here's the proud Dad this morning with his youngsters ...

That's a great photo. Even with lunch hanging off his beak.

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Oh wow, another one?

perhaps the parent eagles in Shepherdstown where young too and had no experience of eaglets, it seems so tragic, but I suppose out in the wild this is how they learn. I can't help feeling sad for the tiny eaglets though.

The same thing happened again on Friday to the second little one in Shephardstown. The male killed it not knowing it was a baby.

Someone made a series of images of the two eaglets in Shephardstown before the male killed them. The mother had even fed them so the process had started before tragedy struck.

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And then when it was cooler this morning they got covered in hay ...

:love7:

What a great gif image!

Lipstick and Guy are such great parents.