December 26 -- Very low on nest this morning

[NewMexiKen]

Mary Lou and I arrived at about 9:15 AM and watched the apparently empty nest for about 10 minutes before seeing the head of an adult. One of my photos shows a bit of the eye and bill.

The side of the nest toward the observers appears to be built up a bit higher than last year, so it is a good idea to watch for a while before deciding that the nest is empty. Based on last year's experience, we should expect the eggs to be covered almost 100% of the time.

Alan joined us a bit later. He had seen and photographed an adult roosting in the melaleucas a little before 7:00 AM this morning. We believe it had a brown tip on its tail feathers, but he will process the photos to be sure.

FYI, we saw this Loggerhead Shrike and Red-bellied Woodpecker at the West Pines Soccer Park and Nature Preserve on our way home, around 10:00 AM.

[Jill W]

Nice pics, Ken!  I saw a woodpecker on the side of a melaleuca very close to the adult eagle this afternoon.  I don't know if it was the same kind as in your pic.