Eagle eggs hatching today on live web cam

Vanity Post?? ^ | May 22, 2003 | Apple Pan Dowdy

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

Please excuse the "vanity post" but I thought many of you would be interested in seeing this awsome view of nature. A live web cam in Washington State is inches away from a Bald Eagle's nest high up in a tree where the 2 eggs are showing signs of cracking... thus about to hatch.

Once at the site, linked above, click on the "live cam" link and select "eagle cam #2 (its the best view).

The female's name is Star and she laid 2 eggs back on April 11th and 14th. Her longtime mate, Patriot, was with her then. A few weeks later, Patriot faught with a younger male and both fell to the ground, then flew off. Patriot has not been seen since, and the new male has now taken his place. The male usually sits on a nearby tree limb, which you can see in the upper right corner of camera #2.

It's facinating to watch a Star tends her eggs. Last night as they were cracking, she gets up often to turn them and look at them. She leaves the nest occaisionally and the male will come stand in the nest, nerviously watching, alternately the eggs and the sky, for her return.

Incubation facts say that the eggs will hatch 12-24 hours after showing signs of cracking.... so that should be TODAY! So call the kids, the whole family, and go watch one of God's greatest miracles. Isn't the net great?

Below are a couple of screen shots from last night:

[HairOfTheDog]

Oh - I know.... I was one of those ;~D I have it on now, as a matter of fact, and before the last sitter rolled them, I think I saw dark spots on both eggs.

[HairOfTheDog]

Oh - I didn't leave it and go out for the day, I was actually watching all day!

[HairOfTheDog]

Mom and dad Eagle are both out of the nest and the eggs are moving by themselves. They are definately breaking out soon! Their parents may miss it.

[HairOfTheDog]

Parent back now..... gonna sit on them and block our view.

[westmex]

I don't know how to grab them off the live update cam, but the manual cam is here

Manual Cam

......Westy.....

[westmex]

You can update the manual pic by clicking the refresh button.....

......Westy.....

[HairOfTheDog]

Cool..... thanks westy!

[westmex]

Frigate birds do the same thing to pelicans...They can't fish so harrass the ones that can.....

......Westy.....

[andysandmikesmom]

Thanks for the ping guys....I have been in a Jack Daniels induced fog for the last few days, due to this nasty head cold, and when I return, get the good news that the eggs are about to hatch....cant wait to sere the little eaglets and watch them progress from little wet bundles, to big downy birds in a very short period of time...its really exciting watching this whole thing, as it happens...

[westmex]

The eagle left...I can't tell if it is a big crack in the one egg or a twig laying across it......

........Westy.....

[andysandmikesmom]

I was looking at the empty nest a while ago and also noticed that either the egg is cracking or something is laying on top of it...probably is hatching tho, as it seems that it should be about time for those babies to make an appearance...

[westmex]

Mama is back on the nest but, seems awfully restless and fussing alot...Maybe something is really happening....

......Westy......

[westmex]

The crack or twig got wider. I think the little guy is working to get out......

.......Westy.....

[andysandmikesmom]

I am watching too...first both eagles were there, then one took off, then the other took off...cannot make out if the egg is cracked or not...sure hope it is, ,and that the time is near for the little ones to make their appearance...

[westmex]

Anyone know what is going on? I only see one egg and no sign of a hatchling...

.......Westy.....

[andysandmikesmom]

I just checked the site, and just see Mama bird on the nest, so cannot check on the eggs....will be gone all afternoon so hopefully by the time I return, there will be further news....

Sure hope nothing bad happened, but since this is 'nature', and not controlled by man, I suppose anything can happen...

I am just hoping for the best...

[Calpernia]

When you see anything on a website that is not downloadable (page, video, flash), just hit your PrintScreen key, then open Paint Brush and hit paste. It can be saved as a *.bmp (bitmap).

[westmex]

I'm using an 7+ year old laptop, doubt if it has any of those fancy moves. But thanks anyway.....

......Westy....

[andysandmikesmom]

I just now checked the nest...see only one egg in the nest, and cannot distinguish any baby eagle in the nest...one eagle was standing on the side of the nest, and the other eagle was standing on a branch...then both eagles flew off...

Does not look promising...

[westmex]

FLASH FLASH....The local news just showed some video of the nest and a hatched baby eagle.....I haven't seen it yet....

.......Westy.....