The news of this dropping of the fawn was even in a California paper. For a week, I've been gone to tend to some emergency family matters. The first thing I did before entering the house today was look at my eagle nest. Well, what do you know, one was out on a nearby branch. I'm pulling out the video to get photos. I don't think they've fledged yet, but there's so much fun places to crawl around.

Joker was in his typical spot, pulling out some baby feathers still. The others are looking nice and sleek. Hope to have photos today.

Wow - branching already! I'm guessing the oldest ones are around 11 weeks old? So they may indeed be getting close to a first flight. Welcome back - and looking forward to seeing the video!

Here's the first of two videos that I took as soon as I got home. We figure the first egg was hatched around April 6-8. That means 11 weeks or slightly older for the first sibling. These chicks are very confident this year. It's interesting how each year the personality of the chicks is different. The size of the nest this year has given these kids a much greater opportunity to play and explore in safety. There was a lot of crawling around this afternoon.

http://youtu.be/Fqxo7CdHhrw

Wonderful video, Sue! It did look as if one of the others wanted to join her out there. And she was very close to flying when she returned to the nest. I agree that it won't be long!

What is so reassuring is that all four are doing extremely well. The skillful, experienced parents made sure all four were well fed. It's become difficult to tell them apart. They are almost there. What is really different this year is that the parents aren't perched on the higher dead trees as they have in the past. It's almost as if the parents know the abilities of the chicks and need not worry. In years past, the parents would stand guard for hours on end during this time when the chicks are about to fly. This time, I just see the parents coming in and out of the nest with food or even just staying for a while.

http://youtu.be/8z5rvok7sZ4

Sue, thanks!

That was absolutely wonderful to view. It looked like they were "wing flapping" in sync. How cool! These parents are incredible. Your bear video was also unreal - a bear who would think?
Thank you again,
carolyn

I've really had a wonderful privilege of watching this special group of chicks this year. I'm going to make the most of the short time I have left before they fledge and move away from home. I know I'll see them often for the rest of the summer. I'm delighted I've been able to share it. Here's a photo from yesterday evening. It looks as if one likes a branch that Mom would sit on in the back of the nest towards the left. Plus the major branch to the left is a great climbing place as well for another almost-ready chick. You can see that all four just look great and healthy.

I did notice that the nest is slanted down to the left a bit. There might have been a big wind while we were gone for a week. Plus all of them play with sticks and move them around. I'm confident it's incredibly strong, especially if it can withstand a bear's curiousity.

Absolutely Wonderful video's and pic's Sue for sharing your eagles with all of us!!

I still find it hard to believe that this nest has four eaglets...It's the first one documented to have four isn't it? And all of them look well fed and healthy which in itself is an amazing feat for the parents to keep them all fed....

And, by the way...Welcome home and I hope all is well with you and your's