DEC 27 - Incubation day #20 - Another exchange at 10:10

[NewMexiKen]

Mary Lou and I arrived at the nest site at about 9:15 this morning and found the female incubating and staying down low most of the time. The sky was brightly overcast and there was much glare from behind the nest area, not good conditions for photography.



The male flew in from behind the nest at about 10:10 and was greeted by the female who called briefly.



They both looked down into the nest before the female flew off to the left (east), and the male assumed incubation duties.



The male settled deeply into the nest and was out of sight much of the time. We think the male does sit deeper in the nest than the female, perhaps not surprising in view of his smaller size.



The female landed in the usual roost in the pine along Pines Boulevard just to the east of the nest tree.



In this view of the female's head you can see the residual effects of the injury she suffered last month.



She spent some time preening and was still roosting there when we departed at about 10:15.

[Lisa G]

Ken , I am glad your confirmed it was Joy that had the injury we thought it was the male .. great Pictures .. I am sharing them on Pride & Joy Facebook Page