Do “The Fly” not the “Watusi.”
Photo by Cleve Nash
Got an early start today. No more banker’s hours. Cleve says, “No wind and more action in the early hours.” It’s before 7AM and I’m here with coffee for both of us and Cleve is AWOL. Too bad he missed a great day and the first aerial food exchange between parent and juvenile. You guessed it “Flyboy!” Who else could fly that well.
When the parent arrives with prey, the cacophony of cacking* begins and soon all the young are airborne. If one or more does not fly, the parent will fly over them with prey to encourage them to come up and take it from them. Today, two of the young gave chase, “Flyboy” and his very large sister. It was no contest for him until he had to carry it to a perch. That is when she overtook him. Closing in fast on his yellow tail feathers, he dove into a bush squealing all the way, trying to mantle the prey even before he got stopped. The young female broke off the chase at the bush and later finished what he could not.
Happy trails, Bob
Item:
“Flyboy” can be identified by two blonde streaks on the back of his head.
*cacking – excited vocalizing
I look forward to every installment! What about the south pair?
Sue, try this. The north side hatched April 18, the south side should have been about the same. Subtract 33 days from April 18, add 16 days we know she incubated before she abandoned the eyrie. Add two weeks to breed and lay a new clutch of eggs,then add 33 days to that. If you come up with something around the first week in June, tell me why we have fresh new droppings at the eyrie entrance that were not there last week. ~Bob
Hey Bob,
Just wanted to drop you a note to say thanks for being a great guide during my time out at the rock. Had a ton of fun.
Also thought you might enjoy this picture: http://blog.voidmain.com/post/51813944904/bird-breakfast
Going back to the city soon, but will be return.
Thanks again,
Steve
P.S.
The other Steve says “Hi”.