2014-2015 Nesting Season for Romeo & Juliet
For 7 documented seasons, Bald Eagle pair “Romeo” and “Juliet” have returned to their nest high atop a Longleaf Pine tree to renew their bond and raise a new family of eaglets. This year, a second HD camera was added (for a total of 3 HD cams on the nest), allowing for unparalled views in the daily life of these eagles. Hundreds of thousands of viewers watched all the activities in the nest.
On Dec. 23, 2014, the first egg hatched and was soon followed by the second egg, which hatched on Christmas Day. A contest was held for AEF members to “Name the Nestlings.” 360 members entered the contest. The named pairs were narrowed down to 5, and then the entire membership was allowed to vote for their favorite selection. “Nick” and “Noel” were the winning names– appropriate for the Christmas season in which they were hatched.
The gender of the eaglets is never certain. However, when they reach full-size at 10 weeks old, there are certain indicators (including size), which provide evidence to make a good educated guess as to whether they are male or female. We do know that both were strong, healthy eaglets, and learned skills they will need to be successful in the wild.
Nick & Noel – 7 weeks old.[/caption]
End-of-Season Scrapbook ~ by Lil O’Rourke Gillar
Nick & Noel ~ Memories for a Lifetime ~ by Dragonlainey
From Egg to Fledge 2015 ~ by Sandy Fink
Schools Participate In “Classroom Chats”
Several classrooms across the country found us and arranged for private educational chats”with AEF’s knowledgeable moderators and expert cam operators. The ages of the students have ranged from 4 years old to high school. Teachers submitted questions in advance to our Classroom Coordinator, Gretchen Butler, who in turned shared them with the moderators so they could be ready to quickly answer all the questions and be prepared to post informative links, including videos. The cam operator is an integral part of this virtual classroom, and pays close attention to the topic so that the camera can show the students specifically what is being discussed.
It has been extremely gratifying to hear how the students and their teachers have responded to this experience. Many regular visitors to our chat forum “perch” (watch but do not chat) during these private chats and learn along with the students.
Two Little Eaglets
by Jim Weller
Two little eaglets
way up in the tree.
Two little eaglets,
looking down at me.
You sit there in your aerie
staring at the sky,
and every time you flap your wings
my heart lets out a sigh.
Silly little eaglets
hovering o’er the nest,
Don’t you know that you can fly?
Your wings will stand the test.
Do you care that I’m waiting here
to see you soaring high?
I’m tethered to the earth below,
but you, you own the sky!
If I were an eaglet
and could do what you can do,
without a moment’s hesitation
I would launch into the blue.
(But wait! One’s perched upon the edge!
It leans into the breeze!
It spreads its wings! Then hops back down.)
You’re such a little tease.
I know that you are old enough,
your wings are sure and strong.
Dancing high across the sky
is where Eagles belong.
You’re made for inspiration.
You can make the mute heart sing,
rejoicing in your majesty
borne on outstretched wing!
“Why don’t you fly?” I ask out loud,
“When will you learn to soar?
I know that you are ready.
What are you waiting for?
Then deep within my spirit,
the eaglets speak somehow.
They say, “We’ll take that leap of faith
when we hear God whisper, ‘Now!’ “
The Bald Eagle
by Don R. Wilkins, Motley, MN, ©2007
My Aerie, built on craggy cliff,
or in a tree top high.
I soar above the reaching hills,
on lifting winds I fly.
I raise my young with tender care,
until they fly away.
Their destiny to fly alone,
it is but Nature’s way
My prey I seek with piercing eye,
grasp with talon strong.
Then lift into the endless sky
to sing my victory song.
By strength of wing will soar on high.
My future yet to be,
to glide beyond restricting Earth.
Eternity to see.
My place in Nature is secure.
I’m viewed now with respect.
A Symbol for the strong and free,
I fly with no regret.
With courage yet unquestioned,
there’s challenge in my cry,
I lift to heights, unhindered,
An EAGLE… flying high.
The Eagle’s Nest Stands Silent
by Jim Weller
The eagle’s nest stands silent
Her annual labor done
She’s proven herself trustworthy
Each battle fought, she’s won.
As wandering eagles see her
Without a word she’ll say,
“This territory’s taken!
You’d best be on your way!”
Through the blistering heat of summer
While standing high and proud
She’ll chant of former glories,
But not a word aloud.
Crowning autumn’s canopy
She will breathe a quiet sigh
As her master and her mistress
Dance across the sky.
Speechless through the snowfall
Atop that barren tree
She’ll patiently anticipate
The things that are to be.
Then just before the springtime
She will end her time of rest
And sing anew a song of joy
With new life in her breast!
The eagle’s nest stands silent
Yet has so much to say
If we just pause to listen
As we hasten by today.
Videos from this nesting season ~
Romeo & Juliet: A New Chapter Begins – 4-24-15 – by Dragonlainey
AEF_NEFL Eagles 2014-2015 Nick & Noel Memories for a Lifetime – 4-15-15 – by Dragonlainey
From Egg to Fledge 2015 – Northeast Florida – 3-12-15 – by Alsoknownas Animallover
Featuring Larry the Lizard – April 9, 2015 – By Mocha Mama
Noel & the Knuckle Bone – April 3, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Sub-adult Visits Nest – Mar. 30, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Noel’s Scary Owl Encounter – March 28, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Nick Comes Home For Breakfish – Mar. 22, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Never Ending Day – The Barred Owls Are Back – Mar. 21, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Oops! Sorry Nick! Noel Bumps Nick Off Branch – Mar. 21, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Nick is Home and Perched With Noel – March 21, 2015 – by MochaMama
Nick Returns! – March 21, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Noel Leaves – Larry Visits – Noel Returns – March 20, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Nick Fledges – 8:09 a.m. EST – Mar. 19, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Noel Returns to the Nest – Mar. 16, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Noel Takes the Leap and FLedges – Mar. 16, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Noel Fledges! 9:34 a.m. – Mar. 16, 2015 – by MochaMama
Busy Young Eaglets at Sunrise – Mar. 15, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Noel’s Branching Adventures – Mar. 15, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Sustained Hover & Big Girl Branching – Mar. 15, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Foggy Morning Show Down – Mar. 10, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
A Fish and Big Air – Mar. 14, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
A Day of Branching and Perching – Mar. 11, 2015 by Dragonlainey
Noel Goes to the Attic – Mar. 11, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Climbing, Big Air, & Noel Preening Nick – Mar. 9, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Nick Branches – March 8, 2015 – by Mocha Mama
Branch Day Highlights – March 8, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Just Like Big Sis – Nick Branches – March 8, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Noel Branches and Flies to V-Trunk – March 8, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Nick Gets Air & Climbs the Trunk – March 7, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Milestone for Noel – March 3, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Nice Fly-in With Fish – March 3, 2015 – by Mocha Mama
Action Packed Morning – March 1, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Planning to Branch Out – Feb. 28, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
It’s Nice to Share – Feb. 27, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Li’l Miss Attitude & Her Squirrel – Feb. 25, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Catchin’ Some Air – Feb. 25, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Squirrel Tug-O-War – Feb. 24, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Testing Their Limits – Feb. 22, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Awesome Delivery, The Claim, The Share, & The Steal! – Feb. 22, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
A Pellet, Food Deliveries, & Juliet’s Awesome Fly-in! – Feb. 18, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
A Visitor in the Nest Tree – Feb. 18, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Wing Hops, Playing In The Rain, & Bath Time – Feb. 17, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Dancing Wings – Feb. 17, 2015 – by MochaMama
Juliet Preens Nick (Allopreening) – Feb. 16, 2015 – by MochaMama
Learning to Use Their Wings – Getting Stronger! – Feb. 16, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Intruder Returns – and a Beautiful Sunset! Feb. 13, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Noel Gets a Lesson in De-furring – Feb. 10, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Nick’s Long Tail & Noel’s “Selfie.” Feb. 9, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Great Double Fly-In With Breakfish – Feb. 9, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Both Eaglets Self-Feeding, Close-ups – Feb. 1, 2015 – by Vicki Harley
A Squirrely Morning! (Great Fly-ins) Feb. 1, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
A PS and a Fly-By – Jan. 31, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
NE4 Self Feeding – January 28, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Big Fish for Breakfast – Cam goes from IR to full color – Jan. 28, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Morning Play Time & NE4 Casts a Pellet – Jan. 27, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Eyes Are the Window to the Soul – Jan. 26, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Fish For the Taking – Literally! Jan. 25, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Waking Up Wet – Jan. 24, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Fish Fiesta – Jan. 22, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Playtime & Possible Pellet From NE3 – Jan. 21, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Walking Upright & Sibling Playtime – Jan. 20, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Becoming Buddies – Jan. 19, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Twin Fish and Larry the Lizard – Jan. 18, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Growing Butterballs – Jan. 17, 2015 – By Dragonlaiey
NE4 Says “Look What I Can Do” – as he self-feeds! Jan. 16, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Growing Pains – Awkward & Curious – Jan. 13, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Eaglets Play Peek-A-Boo on a Rainy Day – Jan. 11, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Attitudes, Personalities, & Clown Feet – Jan. 10, 2015 – By Dragonlainey
Some Really Big Bites for Both Babies – Jan. 9, 2015 – by Charlotte Gobbens
Learning to Walk – Baby Steps – Jan. 7, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Afternoon Excitement – Jan 6, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Up Close & Personal in the Hamlet – Jan. 5, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Out of the Nest Bowl – Jan. 2, 2015 – by Dragonlainey
Juliet Makes Sure Both Eaglets Get Plenty to Eat – Jan 1, 2015 – by Charlotte Gobbens
Look How Big I Am! – Jan 1, 2015 – by Charlotte Gobbens
New Year’s Day Family Dinner – Jan. 1, 2015 – By Mochamama
Beautiful Foggy Morning – Chow Down – Cuteness Overload – Dec. 28, 2014 -By Dragonlainey
Soft Conversation – Happy Talk! – Dec. 27, 2014 – by Dragonlainey
NE4 Hatched On Christmas Day! – Dec. 25, 2014 – by Vicky Harley
There (S)he Is! NE4 Hatches on Christmas Day – By Charlotte Gobbens
NE4 has pipped! And a cameo appearance by NE3 – Dec. 24, 2014 by Dragonlainey
From Pip to Hatch (music “Anticipation” by Carly Simon) – Dec. 22-23, 2014 – by vharley
From Pip to Hatch – Dec. 22-23, 2014 – by Charlotte Gobbens
There (S)he Is! NE4 Hatches on Christmas Day – By Charlotte Gobbens
Another NE3 feeding – Dec. 23, 2014 – by Yamibike
First Feeding – Another Video! – Dec. 23, 2014 – by Charlotte Gobbens
First Feeding – Dec. 23, 2014 – by Mochamama
Tiny Talons and a Belly Button – Dec. 23, 2014 – by Jody Naimo
Baby Love – Mum Sees Her Little One – Dec. 23, 2014 – by Charlotte Gobbens
A cute little beak breaks through the shell as pip is underway – Dec. 22, 2014 – by Dragonlainey
Juliet Returns and She’s Listening! Dec. 21, 2014 – by Dragonlainey
Long Visit from Young Juvenile Eagle at the Nest Tree – Dec. 19, 2014 – by Dragonlainey
It’s All About Those Eggs! – Dec. 18, 2014 – by Dragonlainey
Romeo’s Nearby Getaway Perch – Juliet Nibbles Romeo – Dec. 7, 2014 – by Dragonlainey
A Day in the Hamlet With Romeo & Juliet – Stunning Closeups – Dec. 3, 2014 – by Dragonlainey
Two Wet Eagles – Dec. 3, 2014 – by Dragonlainey
Juliet Gets Wind Blown – Dec. 2, 2014 – by Dragonlainey
Intruder Swoops Close to Nest – Romeo Reacts! – Nov. 30, 2014 – by Dragonlainey
Juliet Rolls Her Eggs After Midnight – Nov. 26, 2014 – by V. Harley
Sunday Morning in the Hamlet – Cute Clips of Changeovers – Nov. 23, 2014 – By Dragonlainey
Saturday Morning Communication and Teamwork – Nov. 22, 2014 – By Dragonlainey
Juliet Lays Second Egg – Nov. 19, 2014 – by MochaMama
Romeo Takes Over – Nov. 16, 2014 – by Dragonlainey
Juliet Lays First Egg – Dual Cam View – by Dragonlainey
Juliet Lays First Egg – Nov. 16, 12:52 p.m. – by Dragonlainey
Juliet Lays First Egg – Nov. 16, 12:52 p.m. – by MochaMama
Breakfish time – Romeo Brings Fish – Closeups – Nov. 13, 2014
Beautiful Clips from a Rainy Day -Don’t Miss This One! Nov. 10, 2014
Soggy Day, Lovely Music – Beautiful Moments – Nov. 10, 2014 – by V. Harley
Intruder Buzzes Romeo & Juliet – Nov. 9, 2014
Making Final Preparations – Nov. 5, 2014
Another Night of Romance in the Hamlet – Nov. 4, 2014
Catch of the Day! – Nov. 4, 2014
The Sounds of Love – Mating – Oct. 28, 2014 6:49 p.m. EST
NEFL Morning on the Nest – Oct. 27, 2014
Romeo & Juliet in Stunning HD Dual Cam Quality – Oct. 26, 2014
A Beautiful and Vocal Sunset – Oct. 25, 2014
Settling In for Sweet Eagle Dreams – Oct. 23, 2014
Noon Time Nestorations – Oct. 23, 2014
Dual Fly-in to Start the Day – Oct. 23, 2014
Morning Highlights – Oct. 21, 2014
A Long-Legged Visitor – Oct. 21, 2014
Romeo and the Stick – Who’s Winning? Oct. 20, 2014
Action Packed Everything! Wed., Oct. 15, 2014
Crystal Clear Morning – Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014
Early Morning Chores – Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014
Fly-ins & -outs, Nestorations, A Young Visitor – Oct. 10, 2014
Sunday Morning in the Hamlet – Oct. 5, 2014
Juliet is Blanketed in a Glorious Sunset – Oct. 4, 2014
Great Clips Showing Cam Clarity – Sept. 28, 2014
Dual Cam View & Nestorations – Sept. 23, 2014
Nestorations at NEFL Eagle Nest – Sept. 22, 2014