A beautiful sunrise reflection can serve as a reminder these fast-growing chicks are surrounded in dedicated love and protection from Jackie and Shadow around the clock as they feed, guard and care for them.Shadow is also an expert housekeeper. On Wednesday morning, he focused intently on cleaning, checking each part of the nest bowl, pulling out old food and moving it to the side of the nest…first he pulled out a coot from the right side…and then another…then circled around the nest bowl checking…and pulled out another from the left side…and checked the fluff…and pulled out…OOPS!...sorry chickie!
The small chick got pulled out by the hind end, while the big chick watched in shock. Maybe the big one was worried dad was throwing everything away and it might be next. After Shadow realized he’d moved the chick, he apparently decided the nest was clean enough and moved on to other things.
Bigger Chick is now 24 days old…and has started growing its Alula feathers—feathers on the wing’s leading edge that help change the airflow over the wing top to create lift or allow a smooth landing. The chick also showed off its beautiful big orange feet.
While the chicks were in charge of the nest, they wandered around looking for shade. They are getting a bit more balanced, but it is possible that the term ‘gangly’ was created just to describe toddler bald eagle chicks. And as they moved around, each added more designs to the white spray paintings they are making across the tree limbs around the nest.
Later, Shadow helped shade his chicks by allowing them to hide under his tail. As he did, the small chick kept nipping on Shadow’s tail feathers. Could it be that the smaller chick was giving a wee bit of pay back for the big ride out of the nest bowl on cleaning day? 😊
The very full crops on both chicks show that they get plenty of food with Jackie and Shadow feeding them several times every day. All that food creates such a peaceful, sleepy feeling…that snuggling together for a sweet nap seemed like the perfect way to spend the afternoon.
What could be more beautiful?
Sandy
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