8-28-2025 Gorgeous Visits
This morning a juvenile was still on Jackie & Shadow’s favorite roost tree after spending the night there. Though not guaranteed, the dark feather pattern denotes it was probably hatched in 2025.
After it flew off from the roost tree, it went to Jackie & Shadow’s nest, where it was much easier to see identifying marks. Since juveniles change their feather pattern relatively quickly after they fledge, it is not possible to be sure they are the same one, but this juvenile, when seen from up close in the nest showed multiple distinguishing signs that it could be Gizmo!
It's not possible to tell the size, without another known eagle there for comparison. But, as the juvie moved around in the nest, looking curiously at everything around, and moving sticks in the nest bowl, it was possible to see the dark feather pattern, including the back of the tail, and the slightly turned up gape at the corners of the beak, all like Gizmo had. It eventually moved to the balcony, where it did the mandatory poop shot to lighten the load before heading out for the day.
As it flew off the balcony, and later, when most likely the same juvie brought a fish to a limb in the nest tree basement, it was possible to see the distinguishing feather gap on the trailing edge of its left wing—again, matching a marking that Gizmo had. 😊 It was either Gizmo, or a whole lot of weird coincidences.
And as a giant bonus, this evening, Jackie first showed up with some chortles…and then either Jackie or Shadow was on the Roost Tree. From the security camera, we got to see a little switchover, with one of them on the RT, then the other one flew in, which included Jackie’s chortling announcement. The first one there flew off, but is probably hanging out nearby and the 2nd to arrive stayed for the night. It was great to see both Jackie and Shadow for a few seconds even if only one stayed in sight.
We can all celebrate these gorgeous visits, even if there are no guarantees!
Sandy
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