5-1-2024 Shadow's Fish Gifts
As usual, Jackie and Shadow seem to be really enjoying life together during their spring break. Tuesday morning was no different as they were both seen side by side in one of their favorite spots, the Roost Tree.
A little later, Shadow carved out a beautiful fly-by and brought in a whole large fish in his left talon. He had a full crop already so we know this was likely a special delivery for his love Jackie. Shadow has brought a few fish to the nest lately and sharing these gifts with his beautiful mate just seems like a favorite thing for him to do.
Jackie's wingspan flying in was spectacular and she actually came in very quietly this time. She didn't start squeeing or twerpling for the fish gift until she landed next to Shadow and he gave her a little love bite on her head.
He usually manages to get in a few bites of the fish before she comes in, but it doesn't really seem all that important to him as he usually just relinquishes it to her without much fuss. Plus, it seems like he really enjoys doing special things for her and kind of enjoys seeing her reaction to the gifts.
He released the fish and of course Jackie claimed it as hers! How hungry was she? Well, we really don't know, but we do know Jackie loves to eat and she seems to love these precious gifts from her handsome Shadow!
Shadow kept an eye on the nearby ravens while Jackie ate and continued her soft twerpling throughout the meal. Shadow did some aerating of the nest, then went to clean his beak on a back porch branch. Usually when Jackie finishes her meal, Shadow likes to go over and snoop around and check for any leftovers, which he did!
They moved a few sticks together and aerated the nest, then Shadow left off the front porch and Jackie flew out the back.
Soon after Jackie finished her fish breakfish, Shadow went over to the Simba Tree where he spent some time perching. From there, he and Jackie changed things up a bit and decided to meet in the Roost Tree for a sweet little mating session. Lately, we have seen them mating in the Lookout Snag or the Stick Depot Snag trees.
After their little rendezvous in the Roost Tree, this is where they spent most of their peaceful afternoon, just perching, observing and listening to all that surrounded them.
They had a great evening together in the Stick Depot Snag tree, flirting and hopping around like the lovebirds they are! Shadow made a couple of fly-arounds and then joined Jackie as they nuzzled beak to beak in the bottom limbs of one of their favorite perch trees.
They must have decided to change it up and sleep somewhere else that night since they spent most of their time in the Roost Tree earlier in the day.
Yesterday morning, Jackie surprised us all and beat Shadow to the nest, in what seemed like a fun little race. He was carrying another fish and was pretty hot on Jackie's tail, landing right next to her where she gladly claimed her fish! Shadow put up a little fight, but once again his crop looked pretty full and he seems to use these fish gifts rituals as a way to bond even more closely with Jackie.
After she snatched the fish, Shadow headed to the back porch. They were both feeling the effects of the warmer weather and were panting a bit with their beaks open, which is quite normal as eagles don't have sweat glands.
Jackie polished off the fish in no time at all, gobbling down that tail in one last BIG gulp… perhaps that has become her favorite part of the fish! She seemed to thank Shadow with one solo call and that was his sign to come on over, clean up any leftovers and tidy up the nest.
Shadow hopped up onto a high branch on the front porch and Jackie perched on the other side. Shadow was on the limb where he taught young Spirit, their last eaglet that fledged in 2022, how to branch. Branching is how the young ones learn to hop around from branch to branch and grasp the limbs with their talons and also work on balancing.
Shadow then moved up even higher and Jackie let out a couple of loud calls. Just after her calls, he flew off right over her head and Jackie followed soon after.
Stay tuned for even more wonderful adventures of Jackie and Shadow!
BKind22
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