Winter Update #5 - February 25, 2010
We are now in the long waiting period to the hatch. The adult eagles incubate the eggs for about 35 days or so. The eagles are diligently taking care of their two eggs, and fortunately the weather has been relatively fair.
The eagles are keeping the eggs warm with their brood patch, a featherless section of skin filled with blood vessels. The little "dance" they do when going back on the eggs ensures that they brood patch is in contact with the eggs.
Watch for the rolling of the eggs throughout the day, about once an hour. This is done with their talons rolled up to protect the egg, and the rolling action ensures that the embryo does not stick to the eggshell.
We still feel that one egg is likely viable and the other probably is not, but they may surprise us.
Also keep an eye out for live fish being brought in from the Potomac River, which is a few hundred yards down the hill from the nest tree. The fishing on this stretch of river is excellent, and some of the fish brought in are big ones. Big or small, the fish don't last long.
