Cozy stretches and effective theft prevention

Screenshots from the Sydney White-bellied Sea-eagle nest from the past week. A few screenshots show prey, including in closeup.

SE28 stretching a wing over big sibling SE27.

SE27 stretching a wing and a foot. SE28 sees something interesting.

...And grabs it!

Where did it go?

It's just SE27's foot, see?

But I guess it is pretty tasty.

 

SE27, SE28, looking around on a morning.

And looking around on a rainier morning. SE28 on the left in the first and at the back in the second screenshot. The weather has varied quite a bit, with warm, sunny days and even a hailstorm. I missed the storm, but here's a video clip of it. Poor birdies! Both are okay, though.

SE28, SE27.

SE28 resting with both wings spread out.

Both wingercising. SE27 on the left.

And some more early morning lookingarounds, waiting for breakfast. SE28 at back, then left.

SE28 claiming prey delivery in the evening. Mornings and evenings are the easiest for me to tune in for since I'm on the opposite side of the planet.

Well pinned!

SE27 considers stealing the fish, but SE28 has a firm grip on it, and gets to eat in relative peace.

Eventually Lady confiscates the food, and feeds both eaglets. SE28 doesn't put up a fight against mom, but succesfully held onto their claim to guard it from their sibling. Good job!

A family supper.

Parents preening and settling in for the night. One day you'll get to sleep perched on a branch, too, little ones. Well, not so little anymore in size, just in age.

SE27, SE28.

In news about the other southern hemisphere nest I've occasionally checked in on, Tiaki the Royal Albatross chick has fledged, and begun her life as a seabird on the actual sea. Tiaki and her dad LGK have trackers (mom LGL did, too, but the tracker is attached to feathers, and hers has already fallen off in a molt) and will show up on the tracking map found at the site. Safe travels!

Albatrosses nest every other year instead of every year, and last year's camera chick Atawhai's parents have also already begun returning for their next season, perhaps within the camera's view.