Spring seems to have finally arrived, with 50 degree temps forecast for all of next week. The eagles are rebuilding an older nest, closer to our house. This is the nest that is just below the bluff from us, and is visible from the house. It was vacant last season, but we're glad to see that Spot and mate have decided to occupy it this season.
We almost lost Dino this week. Last Sunday afternoon he began to get sick. He was throwing up constantly through the night, and by Monday morning he could barely move and wasn't responsive. The vet thought it was an obstruction, but tests showed it was a severe case of pancreatitis. Later that day his liver started to fail, but after being admitted and spending a day on IV antibiotics and other meds, he would eventually be released and come back home later in the week. He didn't start eating again until today - nearly a week without food, but the IVs kept him hydrated enough to begin to heal. Turns out that the cause of the pancreatitis was a cup of bacon grease I had let him snack on last weekend which caused his pancreas to inflame and start to digest itself (as well as his liver which is adjacent to the pancreas). Now he's back home, starting to eat again, and starting to return to his old self....and moving around well enough to go on short walks.
Spot was watching over the hay flats Friday evening in the tree outside our bedroom.
One of the juveniles from a past breeding season is hanging around as well. Some believe that juvenile eagles can return in subsequent years to help their parents raise the next brood. Others say that the breeding pair will drive off all other eagles, even their own offspring from previous years. But our local pair don't seem interested in driving this juvenile off, so maybe it will stay to help raise this year's brood. It takes 4-5 years before a young bald eagle grows into their white head and tail, and is ready to mate. This one is probably 2 or 3 years old based on how much white has started to show on its head, though it could be younger.
Today our pair returned to the tree outside our bedroom as they took a break from collecting sticks for the nest. Spot is the one perched lower - it is the larger of the pair, so is likely the female. The smaller one perched higher is the new mate Spot paired with last year. Spot's original mate disappeared two years ago, and this new younger mate's first year with Spot was last year, and it returned again this year.
Heidi readies herself to pounce on a squirrel at the base of three (she was unsuccessful).
Another sign of Spring, the chairs are back on the bluff's edge.
Heidi, checking on Dino to make sure he is doing ok.
Easter Day selfie (two moose are visible in the trees above Landon's head).
Moose strolling by - munching as they go.
We've been seeing horse hoof prints on the road's shoulder lately, and here one of the cameras showed us where the prints are coming from.
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