Oh my - that does look like an egg!

Thanks so much for catching that, CAL! And nice evening pictures, Castor - I haven't seen her stay there like that before!

Were either of you watching before 7:48? Do you think she laid it then, or could it have been earlier? I know it wasn't there when I left work at 3:30 pm nest time - but didn't watch once I got home. Thanks!

Yes, JudyB, it could have been earlier. I have many pics but am judging the timing from when she left the outter branch to return to the nest bowl.

7:13 pm,
Returns to nest bowl from outter branch.


After she got to the nest bowl she looked into the cup and dug a little. Then she was either in the laying position or the squatting position. After that, the first time she got up (couldn't see anything) was at 7:25 pm.

7:25 pm,


After 7:25 pm, she went back to either the laying or the squatting position again. She had spent a good deal of time on the outter branch before returning to the nest bowl at 7:13 pm. I was certain she was looking for Dad to come home. He was not visable on camera. Also, wondered why, if he was close, that he did not take a peek at the possible new egg. Was he out looking for food?


Hopefully we'll know for certain in the morning. Looks like an egg to me but I've been wrong before and will be wrong again too.

If I had to choose a time from visuals, then I would say, 7:45 p.m. MST, although an egg is not absolutely visable until the hint of white at 7:46 pm.

Squatting


Add:

Gets up.


Some white showing, possibly an egg.

:blink: ¡ We release nest 2010 !

Thank you Castor,

7:37 am,
The egg has been unattended. Temperature is 24 degrees F.

8:17 am,
Return with fish.


8:21 am,
Not interested in incubating or eating.


8:31 am,
Finally - - Sure hope it's not too late.

9:27 am
My first look at the egg

Adult was up for a refresh, then back turning it or digging around for a couple of refreshes

I think the egg will be fine. The nest cup is usually well insulated, and it looks bright so the sun may be out. By not incubating the first egg constantly, it seems that they slow its development a little, so it and the second egg they'll probably lay in a couple of days will hatch fairly close together. That's a good plan when there's plenty of food, because it's unlikely that the older one can seriously hurt the younger one. If food is scarce, it may be better from a survival standpoint if the older chick is enough larger that the smaller one can't compete for food - though that isn't pleasant to watch.

Fortunately the rivalry is not bad in most nests most of the time, and almost all the chicks do well.

9:33 am
The adult is now back incubating the egg - probably Mom but I'm not sure.