Dandelions on (little) wings

The SWFL eaglets are changing their plumage from wispy natal down to a thicker coat of down feathers that will help them thermoregulate independently. And they look like dandelion puffs as a result.

No feedings in this post, mostly cuddles.

E18 is comfy. Somehow.

E18 sleeping, E17 looking around. Mornings are cool enough for cuddling for warmth, days are hot and there's more breeze at the nest rails.

Closeup of sleeping E18 the next morning.

And E17. A good view of the eaglet's ear!

E17 cuddling up to E18.

E18.

Looks cozy.

E17 stretches their wing. You can see pin feathers starting to emerge on the underside near the wingtip.

E17 preens, E18 uses them as pillow.

E18, too, stretches a wing! A little smaller, but it's starting to sprout pin feathers, too.

Something woke them up?

E17 showing off their big baby feet. They'll grow into those.

E18: :V
E17: :|

More cuddles from this morning. E18 on the left, E17 on the right.

E18 exercises their wings, and falls on their face on top of sleeping E17. The older eaglet lifts their head to see what's going on, but no bonk. Back to sleep and to wing flapping, respectively.

They've grown so much! Three weeks ago they were about the size their heads are now!

E18 sitting up, E17 sleeping some more.

E18 waddles over to their E17-pillow.

E18 biting some leaves.

They're awfully cute for vicious apex predators. Speaking of which, and of no pictures of feedings in the post, as a little mood whiplash for the end of the post: a warning if you tune in to the nestcam's live stream right now, as Harriet just brought a cat in as prey. Keep your cats indoors (and on a leash and supervised when outside) where they belong, people.