MN / Elk River - 2008-22

[ballywing]

I just hope they don't do any more pooping on the camera or we won't be seeing ANY! 

[Liz]

I thought I saw four once also, a couple of weeks ago.  Sometimes it's hard to tell! 

SO, I still think "two females, one male" is right -- two seem to be noticeably bigger than the other one. 

[ballywing]

These chicks could use some ear plugs! -  - between the trains, boats & trucks sometimes there's quite the racket! - Course they're louder than any of that when it's chowing down time..

[Pchemist]

lunchtime, and everyone is being nice and orderly.  Quite a change from the grab and run action we've been seeing!

[JL]

Poor dad.  He tried to sneak in to feed the kids this morning.  Mom came right away and grabbed the food from him and took off with it.  I guess she was hungry and wanted that all to herself!  She definitely wears the pants.   

[JL]

They seem to shoot poop everywhere.  At least they have some manners and not poop on their siblings.  I've seen one get up, walked around another so s/he can shoot over the ledge.  It must be fun cleaning that out at the end of the season.   

[Pchemist]

And I have to say, it was pretty rude for someone to shoot poop onto the camera lens!   

[Pchemist]

Quiet morning.  Whole lotta preening going on.  That fluff is getting itchy!

[JL]

Does that mom ever sleep?  Would she go into the nestbox and cuddle down with her kids?  It must be tiring perched there facing that light.  I wonder where the other parent is.  Do they take turns standing guard?

[eagle63_1999]

I saw two of them flapping their wings at the same time, it was a bit crowded to say the least.

[Liz]

It's interesting that there is always a parent on guard at night.  Prob starts from the fear of owls stealing eggs (or whatever the egg threat is).  I still feel sorry for her not being able to sleep with that flippin' light, and that Princess seemed to be able to sleep (head under wing), but Princess was always there too! 

Now if only human parents kept such a good watch on their kids!   

[eagle63_1999]

Yeah the wingspan is really quite something. Flap flap flap , stretch stretch stretch.

[Liz]

Oh, man -- That wing span is getting SO big!  I'm still surprised at how little room they have there. 

[Liz]

When I first checked, all three of them were lying with their beaks hanging on the ledge.  They looked hot and fatigué! 

[eagle63_1999]

Just checked in on the Elk River kids, they are all flaked out at the far end of the nestbox.