A camera has been a recent intrusion on the life of this little family. Victoria is a fantastic, observant mother, and has protected this eaglet (is it a Donna or a Donald), during a terrible windy, raining October. I'm not sure what we are calling the father yet. But he is a great provider. I think he has a penchant for birds, and appears to know a few hadeda nests in the area!
This eaglet was three weeks old at the time the camera was installed The following sequence shows the important events that mark the initial adaptation to this rude intrusion on their life. Take notice of the times in the bottom right of each image.
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| very first photo during installation of the camera |
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| first photo of Victoria returning to the nest |
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| and immediately into a forced feeding, the little chick maybe swallowed a golf ball? |
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| she settles in to brood the chick, only 16 degrees out |
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| as the rain sets in, she looks at the camera, peeved |
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| looking less peeved but much more damp |
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| the last photo of the evening - the camera sleeps when the eagles do |
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| our camera wakes up before the eagles though, and this is the first photo of a new day |
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| the morning rain stops, and Victoria leaves the nest now |
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| just over one hour later she returns with foliage - and the daily routine continues |
Some very interesting images ! Well done and keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for doing this Shane. I whizz past on my mountain bike at Giba Gorge. Okay I have stopped a few times, going up of course ;)to stand on my tippy toes to see if I can spot the Crowned Eagles as we have heard of this legendary nest. And alas I have never seen Victoria and what a beautiful joy to see her and her bambino and the dad. Thanks for sharing your images and sterkte to your valuable research.
ReplyDeleteFantastic photo sequence, Shane. Gives us a good idea of what's going on in "our" nest. Keep them coming. Thanks! Kevin B.
ReplyDeleteHi, some images of Victoria and Donna have made the Africa Geographic Birds and the Wild Bird Trust sites on Face Book and my personal F/B pages. Hoping you enjoy.
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