Harriet and….HIM!
My dear readers….it is time to talk about HIM! If you have followed the world famous Eagles, Ozzie and Harriet on my Blog, or in the news…you will know that Ozzie died a few months ago.
You can catch up with the links below if you missed any of the drama leading up to this event….The Circle of Life explaining the death of this beautiful Eagle.
He’s Baaaaack! Ozzie That Is!!!
Eagle Cam and Ozzie and Harriet
I have to tell you that my heart ached when Ozzie died after his gallant battle with HIM! The HIM that I refer to, is the “Frequent Visitor” who literally showed up on Harriet’s doorstep (otherwise known as the limb above her nest) when Ozzie failed to return to the nest.
Eagles mate for life and Ozzie and Harriet have built nests, hatched Eaglets and have given SW Florida an up close and personal view of their lives through the eagle cam(s) placed near their nest. (thanks to Pritchett Real Estate who own the property that houses the eagle nest) But, something unforeseen happened that interrupted this view of nature. Ozzie sustained an injury that required rehabilitation….he broke his shoulder when he either flew into a moving train or some immovable object. When he was found, he was moved to Sanibel Island (C.R.O.W.) for damage control. He was there for months before it was determined that he could be released into the wild again.
Meanwhile, Harriet had no idea why Ozzie had not returned to the nest….so when the really young and inexperienced “Frequent Visitor” started stopping by….Harriet began to like the idea of a male around the nest again…besides that, he was young enough that she felt she could “train” him up to be a good mate.
Then, it happened. Ozzie was released and after a few weeks of stretching his wings so to speak, he flew to the nest. At first Harriet “screeched” at him…perhaps saying where have you been all this time? And then “Frequent Visitor” Or as he is known now,… “M15”) flew in to defend his new digs….and Harriet.
No one knows whether the torn claw or other sustained injuries weakened Ozzie (I felt Ozzie would put that little whipper-snapper in his place) but Harriet chased Ozzie and they disappeared behind the old church….and that was the last we saw of Ozzie until a few weeks later when he was found tangled up in barbed wire. He was taken back to C.R.O.W. where at first they thought he might pull through…but sadly, he died of an infection. I still choke up when I think of this majestic eagle.
But as with all things….life goes on and Harriet and “Him”….have 2 eggs in the nest….and the eagle cam is recording this event as they have all the other hatchings. There is a 35 day incubation period and any day now…there will be baby eaglets.
The camera records Harriet and M15 as they greet each other in the early mornings. They exchange places in the nest as Harriet and Ozzie used to do. These birds assume their duty with a serious dedication….Just look at Harriet!
The above pic is of Harriet reminding “Him” of her dominant role in their partnership. I have to give credit to “Him” as Harriet works to teach and strengthen their bond to each other.
He seems patient and they excel in their teamwork to protect the nest from any intruders entering their territory….and he brings food to Harriet while she sits on the nest.
It is just a matter of time before the little eaglets “pip” through the shells of their incubation. The cameras will catch every minute of this process, as it has in the past. It is so amazing to be a part of being so close to the happenings in and around the nest.
But, I miss Ozzie and every time I see an eagle soaring in the early mornings around our home….I smile as perhaps that could be one of Ozzie’s off spring.
More to come when the hatching begins in the nest.
Poor Ozzie, I miss him as well.
thanks Sandy for stopping by…..still no word on hatching….been so cool lately. Hugs