SWFL Eagles_ Harriet's Moss Ball Is Hers! *Discussions* M15 Gathers Sticks At Fig Depot 11-05-20

M15 was really on a mission today gathering sticks, grabbing the first one long before sunrise. He made three trips to the fallen strangler fig tree in the nest pasture, breaking the sticks on the fly and grabbing one from the ground, and gathered other sticks from trees in the west pasture. Harriet's first addition to the new nest was a moss ball on a stick, large and heavy. She stopped to adjust the material and lost it to the ground when she took off again. So she retrieved it from the ground and flew to one more tree to adjust her load before flying back to the nest. H & M worked together on placing and rearranging sticks but the moss ball was off limits to M as H beaked him each time he tried to move it. E15 was not seen today. Cameo appearance by an American Kestrel.
Thank you SWFEC, hosted by Dick Pritchett Real Estate, for providing & maintaining suitable trees & environment for this Bald Eagle Family. www.SWFLEagleCam.com
Thank you to Dick Pritchett Real Estate (SWFEC), Church of the Nazarene, Eagle Landing & several friends for allowing me to film on their premises.

[@sandrapalmer2884]

Thank you for the views of the new nest!!! Very beautiful pair.

[@lilbirdztube3698]

Moss balls make excellent nesting material. When the dried bromeliads start arriving, eggs won't be far behind :)

[@sandrapalmer2884]

Awesome views wskrnwngs!!!

[@mcn00xyz]

I miss E15-hope s/he's living a wonderful life with skills Mom & Dad modeled, and will come back someday to visit them (and us!). ❤🦅

[@TomSawyerEaglePro]

Thank you so much Miss Vicki! I'm very happy you're keeping us so informed with H&M's progress on nest2. I'm keeping prayers alive that they'll ultimately nest in nest 1.

[@j.letner183]

A fine morning

[@ellenriemann576]

This is so amazing to watch. They work so hard. I'm missing E15 and hoping her extra time has made it where she will be able to keep her Beautiful crop filled,If not! She knows where home is.Thank you for your knowledge and Beautiful videos.

[@DJinOcalaFla]

Another wonderful video of building another strong, sturdy Nest 2! It may just be me but there seems to be a sense of urgency today to get the new nest ready. They have been busy. busy, busy. Makes me wonder if Harriet knows that soon she will have a new clutch to be caring for... Bless E15 where ever he/she may be; may they have a long, safe, healthy and happy life. Another new adventure begins with the new nest! Thank you Vicki, our Eagles Whisperer!!

[@tasosat6807]

Thank you

[@wshari27]

I miss E15 very much love u

[@quieteagle920]

Thanks this is a great video. They are putting a lot of effort into this nest and you are doing us all a terrific service by your camera work and comments.

[@wskrsnwings]

Quiet Eagle, thank you.

[@BBUG1994]

Aww I miss E15! Do you think they will go back to the old nest if E15 don’t come back?? E15 If your on your new journey I pray you crop is always full , that you will be safe , and your life will be long and happy! Love you E15 and I miss you🙏🥰💗💗💗💗Thank you Vicki for another wonderful dat at the nest with you!!💗💗🙏🙏

[@wskrsnwings]

Lisa Jenkins, the adults are still concentrating on the new nest. We just have to wait and see.

[@claudiacouch7988]

I guess building the second nest made E15 think separate homes wasn’t for him. Wanted to stay all together or guess I better go exploring n See the World

[@grape512]

I was just thinking something like that. Still wondering if E15 will be back in a few days. lol

[@angelabroadtx]

I was getting used to E15 staying "home".

[@ptnickb]

M15 really on a mission, but not so fast with moss ball, only Harriet can place that one. They are likely working hard on this nest, while E15 appears not to be in sight. They are an athletic, and dynamic duo. A pleasure to watch.We miss and love you E15. Thank you so much Vicky.

[@patsyjohnson3963]

How far is this nest from their older nest? This looks like a dead tree. Suppose they didn't feel they had to ask me where to build. Great video and amazing how hard they work. Love watching them. Thanks ❤😀

[@wskrsnwings]

Patsy Johnson, the new nest is in a dead (snag) tree in the adjacent pasture about 900 feet away.

[@bt.c.1829]

Thank you Vicki! 💖🦅💖🦅💖🙋

[@hermitlifeinthemountainsub9493]

I really miss E15, but I think she is going o make it and have a very long life as a result of not rushing. She came back when she was struggling, which was a very good instinct (i am guessing). She probably wants to go see if she can do it. I hope she returns to visit.

[@Peggy180]

This was just so amazing to watch. H & M are such a good team and it’s fascinating to see them plan and build the new nest. Loved seeing this. Thanks so much, Vicki! ❤️🦅

[@PAngel777]

Lol...Harriet's "Moss Ball". Too funny. Great capture of these two Lovebirds. Looked in on the LIVE Cams and, in one shot, saw what MAY have been E15 soaring in the sky...so possibly leaving / left for good.

[@jeangrissom1071]

I know!! Too funny 😂

[@jeangrissom1071]

I’m wondering if that “moss ball” will mysteriously disappear when Mom is away from the nest 🧐😛

[@suzannesnow7485]

Thanks, Vicki! They are so busy and focused! 💞

[@hmongdestinyband1259]

Thank you for providing all the interesting video...it would nice if you can keep your camera more focus. I love how you can follow these eagles flying to get sticks and back to the nest. Very much appreciated.

[@wskrsnwings]

Hmong Destiny Band, thank you for watching. It is a long way over to the new nest and once my camcorder goes past 90x optical zoom, the digital zoom to 500x is grainy, plus the cam likes to focus on the electric lines and not the area behind which is where the new nest is.

[@grape512]

@@wskrsnwings It's still impressive how much detail you get from that far away. When I get another camcorder I want one like yours!

[@hmongdestinyband1259]

@@wskrsnwings again, very much appreciated your video. If you do manual focus might help the camera from focus on the electric wires. Regardless, you are doing well. Its interesting to see eagles making a new nest from ground zero. Wish there would be camera on the branches so we can see the details.

[@wskrsnwings]

@@hmongdestinyband1259 I'm trying to get the best footage possible. Boy, we all wish there was a cam on the new nest, but who knew. 😊

[@stormm787]

Hi Vicki, with H & M being at the new nest most of the time now, it might be worth looking into manual focusing of your camera. Don't know what model you have but there may be an Auto/Man focus switch somewhere on the camera body. If not, I'm fairly certain that in the Settings menu, you'll find a way to switch focusing to manual. You can google manual focusing of your camera model to find out specifically. What's happening now is the camera focuses on either the cable that runs across your field of view or parts of the snag that are closer to you than the nest. Don't mean to butt in if the camera can't do manual focusing.

[@wskrsnwings]

Charles W, thank you. I will look into it.

[@jeangrissom1071]

Their discussions remind me of my husband and I 🤪 LOL 😂 Thank you Vicki! I hope you’re feeling well, and you are tolerating your procedures without complications. Be well 🥰

[@wskrsnwings]

Jean Grissom, I am feeling fine. I think you are talking about Lady Hawk having procedures. She and I are two different people. Lady Hawk does videos of the SWFEC nest from her home capturing activity on the live cam feeds without narrative. I physically visit the nest and record the activities live with narrative.

[@jeangrissom1071]

@@wskrsnwings Thank you for clarifying that. 😃 I enjoy videos from both of your channels. ❤️

[@wskrsnwings]

@@jeangrissom1071 thank you.

[@jjfaris]

Thank you Vicki

[@terijohnson3110]

We know who will win that "discussion", lol

[@JPEaglesandKatz]

Such pro nest builders they are. Like they rebuild the original nest a couple of years ago once it disappeared. Seems now they have 2 nice and good nest to choose from :)

[@jeffrey582]

Great shots of Harriet & M15 gathering nest material, they sure are on a mission to get this new nest completed. I’m sure E15 learned a lot from watching them when she was still around. Thank you for the coverage.

[@nancyjohnson9733]

Who would have thought that the fig tree that went down in the storm would now be part of the materials for a new nest.

[@judytruax8876]

Hello Vicki. The new nest is really beautiful too look at. Take care.

[@jeangrissom1071]

The new nest looks safer from predators to me.

[@MS-ep9fw]

Looks like H wants to buid the nest on her own toay. She seem to laying the moss when M brought the stick in. lol Don't bring sticks in here, I'm putting a floor down.

[@kkdoc7864]

I am wondering if building a new nest has a specific reason behind it like more branch protection against GHOs, or maybe the other nest needed more renovations than worth the effort? And this particular tree looks like it’s dead. It would seem to me that that fact would make this particular site less desirable as it may fall in a bad storm. This is so interesting.

[@wskrsnwings]

kk doc, it is interesting. I wish Harriet and M15 could tell us why. 😊

[@DrJWR1]

Thannks, Vicki!

[@chrisrinegraves6124]

What a busy morning! Thanks for capturing it Vicki

[@djahant]

Vicki is that still Pritchett land? If they continue with the new nest they can move the cam next year to that one. I kinda like the new location. You either need a telephoto lens or move to the driveway if they keep building there. LOL. I love this couple, they are so cute. Harriet the supervisor. M is really working it!

[@wskrsnwings]

Dee Jahant, the new nest tree is on Pritchett land. I'm sure the Pritchetts will do all they can to accommodate better viewing next year.

[@dottiewalton6946]

Now that's a super mom

[@sandrapalmer2884]

Oops left out the s...

[@beths4934]

Thanks so much for all your beautiful videos. I am so happy for little/big E15 off to their real life. God bless 💜

[@karenjohncox6435]

Harriet is one smart eagle she always knows when a hurricane is coming and I believe this will be the next they will be hunkering down in when it comes.

[@dish8796]

Thank you ❤

[@europaeuropa3673]

That tree should limit the owl attacks with the multitude of branches.

[@bonnieabrs1003]

That’s my thought too.

[@debralounder3810]

I thought as well too, I’m wondering about shade though?

[@wskrsnwings]

@@debralounder3810 the adults will shade the eaglets until they are able to regulate their own temperature as the adults do.

[@bonnieabrs1003]

Debra Lounder shade won’t be a problem. The late season put them in full summer sun. During the regular season, the chicks may have fledged.

[@debralounder3810]

@@bonnieabrs1003 I’ve watched the nest for many seasons and I agree parents shade the chicks and the sun was positioned different. I do remember them heading to small strips of shade provided by branches . Maybe the multiple branches will provide shade if they choose the nest and the Spanish moss stays too.

[@Firebird-65]

Great nest builders !! Looking good!! 🦅 🦅 ❤️

[@corazonreyes2137]

So much fun to watch these two at work. Thank you so much for the video.

[@rb032682]

Interesting stuff. Harriet acted like the moss had a lot of weight. Do they have to cross the busy road to travel between their nests?

[@wskrsnwings]

RB, it was bulky and did look quite dense. The road between the two nests is the single lane driveway to the offices and horse stables. The busy road (highway) is in front of the nests (to the left of what we see on the live cam feed).

[@rb032682]

@@wskrsnwings - Thanks. I had a rough idea of where the older nest is but didn't get a good view of the new nest. 🦅🦅

[@carolebean3987]

Harriet: Now, M, we had this discussion before. I want the stick here. M: But, honey, it fits better on this side. Harriet: M, I said I want it here, AND, leave my moss ball alone.😂😂😂

[@douglasguan5254]

E15 did come close to this new nest right before she left. She might not or could not consider it as her new home.

[@wskrsnwings]

Douglas Guan, E15 is only interested in food that may be found at nests, not the nests themselves.

[@carolebean3987]

Lady Hawk, thank you so much for your diligence to this wonderful and majestic family. Are you doing OK, and getting some rest? Praying for you every day.

[@wskrsnwings]

Carole Bean, thank you. I am feeling fine. I think you are talking about Lady Hawk doing OK and getting rest. She and I are two different people. Lady Hawk does videos of the SWFEC nest from her home capturing activity on the live cam feeds without narrative. I physically visit the nest and record the activities live with narrative.

[@carolebean3987]

@@wskrsnwings Oops. I thought I was leaving the message for Lady Hawk, but that's OK. I pray for all you wonderful people

[@wskrsnwings]

@@carolebean3987 thank you. 😀

[@flyfreeqhrt5484]

So they are still building the other nest. I wonder if it’s because of the owl.

[@wskrsnwings]

FlyFree QHrt, wish we could ask H & M why. 😉

[@annepearce6604]

When will Harriet be ready to lay eggs

[@wskrsnwings]

Anne Pearce, it's all up to her. But Harriet usually lays eggs mid to late November.

[@dutchlion7663]

So this second nest is really coming together it looks like. Have they ever nested there before or were they always at the 'çam' tree?

[@wskrsnwings]

Dutch Lion76, the adults have taken sticks there before but never got very far. We have seen them use the nest in the cam tree since the cams went live in 2012.

[@dianalawson6385]

Are mom and dad no longer going to the nest tree? 😕

[@wskrsnwings]

Diane Lawson, they are visiting the old nest but they have not really done any serious rebuilding there.

[@karendegeyter2937]

Ms.V do you think they will use the old nest or new one this season? Thank you for all you do for us to see this beautiful family.

[@wskrsnwings]

KAREN DEGEYTER, it looks like they are concentrating on the new nest.

[@karendegeyter2937]

@@wskrsnwings You think that they will move the cameras to the new tree?

[@wskrsnwings]

​@@karendegeyter2937 USFWS guidelines do not allow any disturbance near nesting eagles/active nests in FL from 10/1-5/15. So the cams cannot be moved or new ones installed this season.

[@karendegeyter2937]

@@wskrsnwings Aww I hope they use the same nest. Thank you Ms.V.

[@karendegeyter2937]

@@wskrsnwings Do you think its because E15 stayed so long home?

[@dn55mn61]

Thank goodness for white head and tail from that distance especially at early morning hours. 😊😊 Thank you

[@Sherrie77722]

I LOVE THEM!!! I hope they don't have their babies at that nest but it seems they just may since they are working more on that one then the original. But glad they can have babies in peace now and we don't have to worry anymore. They are the best and their discussions are so cute. Harriet of course always wins them though. Best Eagle parents ever! M is seriously a hard worker and the best father ever. Amazing provider and nest builder.

[@janetcollazo8500]

Thanks Vicky❤❤❤❤. Beautiful and amazing the work M15 & H did today. They're in a mission. Missing E15, but glad she's going to try all she learn from her Parents. Can they put cameras on the trees around the nest??

[@wskrsnwings]

Janet Collazo, the cams cannot be moved or new ones installed this season. USFWS guidelines do not allow any disturbance near nesting eagles/active nests in FL from 10/1-5/15.

[@janetcollazo8500]

@@wskrsnwings tks. Hopefully we will be able to see them.

[@susanowings9435]

Thank you Vicki for your beautiful video. It looks like you may have to buy a bigger camera if H&M are staying at the new nest.)

[@jackiebratcher2997]

Do you think they will move the cameras if she lays there?.. Thank You!

[@marypritchett115]

I don’t think they can without disturbing Harriet and M. Since this is their normal nesting season it might even be against the law. In Florida it is unlawful to disturb eagles in any way.

[@AnaMaria-yc2pn]

@@marypritchett115 they change the nest? Is not be very hot on that tree?

[@marypritchett115]

@@AnaMaria-yc2pn No...they started building the second nest several years ago. They most likely are finishing because the offspring from the previous season had not flown away yet. We think she is gone now.

[@wskrsnwings]

Jackie Bratcher, USFWS guidelines do not allow any disturbance near nesting eagles/active nests in FL from 10/1-5/15. So the cams cannot be moved or new ones installed this season.

[@ilamynatt4838]

@@AnaMaria-yc2pn i

[@mimitaylor5938]

Thank you Vicki, we would not see new nest life without you. Any chance if she lays eggs there that the Pritchett's might perhaps add a cam or move one of the other cams?

[@wskrsnwings]

Mimi Taylor, the cams cannot be moved or new ones installed this season. USFWS guidelines do not allow any disturbance near nesting eagles in FL from 10/1-5/15.

[@bonnieabrs1003]

That moss is hard to pull apart! They’re working so hard on this nest, do you think they’ll end up using it?

[@wskrsnwings]

Bonnie abrs100, it is looking that way.

[@yooperlooper]

I hope E15 found a boyfriend to squee at

[@engc4953]

Too funny, she is a squeeing one for sure.

[@crkwon3780]

Looks like H&M will be nesting in the new nest! They are putting more moss and all the sticks there then the old main nest! They are not taking any risks; in case E15 show up again! 😭😭😭😭 sad I won’t get to see the eaglets from beginning! Hope they start putting new stuff in main one! :)😬

[@wskrsnwings]

yooperlooper, probably squeeing at any "friend" with food.😉

[@karendegeyter2937]

Hope they go back to camera trees.

[@alicehurst2234]

Just curious... Why did H and M begin a new nest and is it common for eagles to do this? Was it because E15 stayed around so long?

[@wskrsnwings]

Alice Hurst, it is not unusual for eagles to have more than one nest built in their territory. H & M have taken sticks to the new nest area in past seasons and I guess they decided to finish it this year. Only H & M know the reason why, E15's presence may have something to do with it.

[@alicehurst2234]

@@wskrsnwings thank you for the information. I've been following you since E9. Love, love your coverage of these beautiful birds! 🦅💙

[@wskrsnwings]

@@alicehurst2234 thank you for watching.

[@wshari27]

Did E15 leave for good?

[@wskrsnwings]

Shari Whitman, E15 has been gone for four days, but they were gone for a week in September and returned.

[@donnadelange520]

Whh is a 2nd nest built?

[@wskrsnwings]

Donna DeLange, no one really knows except H & M.