E19 branches!

Busy day for Bald eagle nestcam-watching today, it seems. While on the other side of the North American continent another chick just hatched, at the Southwest Florida nest Harriet and M15's older eaglet of this year's clutch has left the nest for the first time.

First a couple of cute screenshots of the now 9-week-old eaglets together. E20 (left/lower) and E19 looking around this morning.

And lying around. (E19 higher on screen)

And then, a leap! The eaglets are preening themselves, when suddenly E19 opens her wings...

...and lands on an arched stick on the nest rails that the eaglets have already been using as perching practice. Not quite the veranda branch yet, but it's not far.

In fact, it's only a step away.

E19 flapping to keep her balance, E20 watching intently.

And she's up there!

Both tracking mom flying to the treetop.

E19 admires the view, E20 moves some sticks at the base of the branch. Are you trying to build a ramp?

More flapping, E19 walks along the branch.

E20 does his very best to steal the show, lol.

Now, how to get down?

Another leap!

E20, E19, both safely in the nest again.

Well, that was exciting. Time for even more wingers!