5-31- 4:45pm EDT

Eggs as usual - "sun incubation" See they have some new greenery

Monday May 31

Re: Eggs

A question for the experts or a hypothesis to consider

Since Dad is the only one to touch the eggs, moving and burying them can be considered deliberate on his part. All changes are credited to his account.

Two eggs are white and two terracotta. I have noted that it is the white ones that are buried, possibly using the nest material to incubate them.

Is it possible that Dad senses the temperature of the eggs and adjusts them to meet their need for warmth? White reflects heat, so the white eggs would tend to be cooler and need more protection from the outside temperature.

Any thoughts on this?

Interesting hypothesis, BET.

My "instinctive" reaction is that it seems way too complicated for an instinct, considering that the eggs are normally incubated the vast majority of the time, so there's no need to protect some more than others when they're left for a while.

But my second thought is that I have noticed that eggs are sometimes covered with straw when the nest is left untended, and sometimes not - and I've sort of assumed it's mostly to keep them hidden. It's never occurred to me to cross-reference that with the color of the eggs.

And I'm the one who regularly rambles on about how we're learning all sorts of new things from these cams. We're getting past the egg-laying season this year - but I will try to keep this in mind next year.

And I do wish some serious scientists were studying what's happening here - it does seem as if there's a lot that could be learned.

Hi! Judy B

This nest is the most unusual nest - more so than I could ever imagine. It will really be remarkable if the eggs hatch. If they do, I am wondering if Mom will put herself out enough to feed - let alone keep them warm.

I recall one of the first nests I ever watched was the St Vrains eagles. There were three chicks. Mom covered them every time she left the nest with nest grass - to hide and to keep the chicks warm - was my assumption.

Here, every thing is up to Dad, while Mom sits on the perch preening herself and waiting for Dad to bring her fish. Four weeks to go til we see if the eggs will hatch

If the eggs hatch, I am going to try to keep track of chicks by egg color to see if the sex is related to the color.

Things at the nest may get even stranger, if that's possible over the weekend. I was at the nest early this morning and there are 3 huge tents set up in the field next to the nest...must be a big event happening.

I didn't have time to post these pics yesterday....I sure hope she at least caught that fish herself





JAZZEL

Thanks for the pics and the advance notice - I seem to remember there was some event last year that we were concerned about, but don't remember it disrupting activity at the nest.

And while I don't remember seeing that particular delivery, I rather suspect the fish was a gift from our very dedicated Dad.

6 - 6 4:00pm EDt

I check the nest status several times a day. It is always the same, Mom sitting on the perch, looking about or grooming herself. Some new material in the nest and eggs rearranged (I don't log on until afternoon EDT - I live in Calif) Late afternoon, Dad returns, brings Mom a fish and takes up incubating

Just plain weird....hardly any incubating...saw little birdies I think wanting to eat the eggs!

So, interesting to see what is not happening....in a funny sort of way!