Happy & sad

Tonight Nicole and I went out for a last view of the golden eagle nest we've been monitoring since May 15th. Both babies finally left the nest, the last one just last Friday. We have been watching them on the ground and making their way from one spot to another by mostly walking. We finally got to see one of them soar on extended wings to a beautiful soft landing below where one of the adults was perched. The parents will keep track of them and supply both with food until they can learn enough to make it on their own. '

This time we saw only one adult soaring above the favorite ridge perch but it wasn't in sight for very long. We set up our chairs after a lengthly battle with the local deer flys for our right to be there. Thank goodness for Skin So Soft, it works on those demons too as well as mosquitos. Altho we never saw either of the babies we could hear one of them calling for either the sibling or parents. We didn't stay a long time as the calls stopped so we would like to assume that all four eagles were off on new adventures. The babies starting what could be lives that last for decades.

It was an awesome experience watching these magnificent birds of prey go from very tiny white fluffs to the incredible huge birds they became. I certainly hope they both make it through this very difficult first year and come back stronger than ever.