Peregrine Falcons at the State Capitol
Live video feeds. Click lower right-hand corner to view full-size video. |
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The Nongame Bird Blog below is written by the Commission’s Nongame Bird Program |
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Live video feeds. Click lower right-hand corner to view full-size video. |
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The Nongame Bird Blog below is written by the Commission’s Nongame Bird Program |
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How AWESOME! to have the camera that sees in the box. YOU GUYS ROCK!! I am an avid watcher and this is so way COOL. Thanks !!! I look forward to seeing more, I walk by the Capital everyday on my way to work and this morning I saw them mating again right up by the box. Maybe another egg to follow tomorrow. YAY!!!
Jeanne:
Thanks for the positive comments!!
-Joel
OMG. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Good job Joel. this is amazing, and maybe now friends I have recommended can get in. they have all been having problems. so exciting.
Linda:
I don’t deserve much of the credit in getting this set-up. Our IT guru Troy Kroeger worked long and hard to make it all work out and our partners at the Capitol also played a critical role. The whole thing would not be possible without funding from the Wildlife Conservation Fund (the check-off on your state income tax form), so please consider supporting the Wildlife Conservation Fund if you like what you see.
-Joel
I am so glad that you mentioned Troy Kroeger. He has done such a great job with this website. Between the two of you it is possible for all of us to enjoy the birds. Thank you so much.
Joel, my new camera all of a sudden (for about 6-7 months) has been “buffering” and I can’t get a picture. Is it just me or is there something else going on? is it off because no one is living in the box at the moment?
Joel, the only thing that could make it more perfect is to add a “chat” room. but that would be nirvana:)
Linda:
That idea has come up before and we will take a look at doing that at some point in the future.
-Joel J.
Love the new second camera, but the new video players on the site are awful! Bring back the old video’s that opened in separate windows, that way I can size them according to my needs.
HI Chris:
I understand the new players have different features. However, the old players were straining the system because of the way the video was delivered to the internet, it was an unsustainable situation, plus there were access constraints. The new players are here to stay. We will consider your comments and take a look at trying to add additional improvements.
-Joel Jorgensen
Joel,
Thank you so much for responding to my concerns. I really appreciate being able to watch these beautiful birds. I think the blog and the new camera are wonderful ideas. I didn’t mean to sound so critical in my original comment. I was frustrated and didn’t do a very good job of explaining my thoughts. I’m sorry, let me try again.
I think the video player you’re currently using (JW Player) will allow opening the video in a new window instead of (or in addition to) full screen. If the player is launched in a new window, it would allow for a more moderately sized video and would also allow users to move the window around so they could do other things on their computer while watching the falcons. I don’t believe this would increase bandwidth or cause compatibility issues.
Again, I’m sorry for sounding so critical in my original post. I really do appreciate the opportunity to watch these amazing birds. Thanks so much for all you (and your IT guy) do.
Agree with chris you really fouled up our viewing today. The new players are terrible. Bring back the system you had prior to 8am this morning.
Bob:
Thanks for your comments. As I explained in a post the other day, the old player was taxing the system and was unsustainable. I hope you stay tuned.
-Joel
Joel, I hope we can have some night light on the box. the babies usually arrive some time during the night and we’d love to be able to watch 24/7. lots of people also can’t watch during the day because of work/other stuff, so being able to see at night would be the only time they can visit. the shots are gorgeous otherwise. Thanks so much. I know I will have dozens of friends around the world visiting once I let them know about the new cameras.
Linda:
I do not anticipate that we will be adding a light at the nestbox. It is logistically challenging and also, I’d rather not throw the birds any surprises now that they have eggs.
-Joel
jeanne, just saw them bonding on the box ab 8:15 a.m. on Saturday. maybe egg #4 soon!!
Joel, all of a sudden after two days of the new system, I am being asked to download adobe flash player. I have that alerady, but I downloaded it again, shut computer off and rebooted, but it’s still asking me. got any hints as to what to do next?
never mind Joel. It justs tarted working again on Sunday.
I’m having the same problem Linda Lee is experiencing…..any suggestions???
Hi Connie:
I think we got that problem fixed! Let us know if you are stil having trouble.
-Joel
Joel, have you ever considered organizing some sort of arrangement where people could get a closer view from inside the building near the nesting box? that would be so cool, esp after the babies arrive.
Yes, 4 eggs now Linda! YAY! This is SO COOL to be able to see inside the box. I have always enjoyed watching but will enjoy even more now. One time I was in the observatory standing directly below the box and taking pics, I couldnt really tell if I was getting anything until I got them on the computer and then I saw I got a pic of the Mama staring right down at me!! So cool. That was the closest I have ever been to them.
I think I just observed a “shift change”, where the parents took turns incubating the four eggs. I believed the male bird was on the nest when I first started watching it. Then the female, bigger in size, came in and took over the nesting duty. Kinda a funny moment when the female shooed the male bird off the nest, then looked at the eggs. it was almost as if she was counting the eggs and asking him ‘you sure these eggs are ours”? LOL.
A friend of mine just linked me to this site! Amazing view! Would love to chat with other viewers! Do you have a Facebook page for this sweet peregrine?
What do you suppose she is thinking about?
So happy the made it through the awful weather…they have great rain coats! (water just rolls off). I am sure nests in other places are even more precarious.
Still pretty windy after the storm! You can see the feathers getting ruffled by the winds as the nesting bird tries to keep the eggs warm. I think the eggs got relocated back towards the far wall so the nesting bird can get more sunshine?
Awesome~ Joel! She is a beautiful falcon! A stunning pair. So wonderful to be able to witness her progress, thanks to you! We appreciate this rare opportunity. A friend suggested your site, so glad he did! :}
Thanks, Maxine, I hope you enjoy the show!
Love it! Thanks Joel.
Joel ~ Only one seems to have been sitting on the eggs without food for a couple days now. I’ve not seen the other falcon come in, there is no carcass & there is no indication they have switched either.
Thank you so much for giving me this pleasure. I grew up in Nebraska & have been watching State Capital falcons for several years.
Thanks for the comments “moms”. One seems to go AWOL every year during incubation so I would not get too concerned just yet. It is possible that something could have happened to one of the adults, but generally we will not intervene.
To follow-up, the male replaced the female today (23 April) at 11:35 a.m. Both adults appeared healthy.
Thanks, Joel. I missed it so maybe that happened as well yesterday. How do you tell them apart? They look alike to me.
They are very similar, but the female is about 15-20% percent larger. Thus, the male and female are discernable when they are together. The male and female have different color bands, as shown here:
http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/blogs/2012/03/question-birds-2/
Thank you for putting this up. It is awesome to see nature at work.
Questions: From the posts I assume the eggs will hatch around the 3rd of May??
What is the time stamp delay between the pictures?
Hi Donna:
Thanks for the comments! The eggs are expected to hatch during the first week of May. I’m not understanding your last question about time stamp delay?
Joel
The picture from outside the nest has a different date and time than the smaller picture of just the nest.
Just wondering?
The picture from outside the nest has a different date and time than the smaller picture of just the nest.
just curious….
Donna,
It’s the same feed. Same nest. One feed is just a tad behind. It’s kind of cool because if you see something happen and want to see it again, a few seconds later the other one does it.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Aaron. Yeah, one feed is a little behind and it also depends on your local internet connection. At home, there is a lag, but here at NGPC HQ, there is virtually none.
She has been up and down a bit today, I wonder if she can hear them getting ready to hatch?
Jeanne:
Yep, I’ve noticed that, too. Could very well be (that they are getting ready or already are beginning to hatch).
-Joel
Joel ~
FYI: The eagle nest in Decorah, Iowa has an infrared camera that allows us to see at night, but the eagles can’t see the light. The video is on UStream & relayed back to a host website. They have quite a following with a continuous stream of comments below the video 24/7. http://sportsmansparadiseonline.com/Decorah_Bald_Eagle_Nest.html
BTW: If these babies hatch today, I am going to put in the names of my son’s family in honor of their anniversary.
Hugs to all who made this possible for the rest of us to enjoy!! ~ Moms
Excited~can’t wait to view the little eyases….bet they will be ADORABLE!! Thanks so much to you, Joel!! {woo hoo}
Yep, Maxine, expecting something to happen any time.
As I have stated before, I appreciate the positive words and appreciations. However, several other key people made this view possible, including Troy Kroeger, our IT guys, and our friends down at the Office of the Capitol Commission. Plus, Wildlife Conservation Fund (the tax check-off) funded the purchase of all the equipment.
For sure, Joel~ good reminder to all who support this awesome project so we can all take part and enjoy! THX! :}
Did you just see that both of them were there! This is so awesome.
Thank you all so very much for putting this out there so we can all be a part of it.
Wow, sitting here in the middle of Missouri (at work, opps) and able to watch this!! Awesome!!!
Donna~ We won’t tell…doing the same thing, LOL!
Keep expecting to see the “streaming on your computer” police any minute>>>>HA!!
Question: the other days the eggs seemed more speckled. Can I just not see that or have they changed as they are getting ready to hatch??
Hi Donna:
The eggs’ exterior have probably not changed. I wonder if it is perhaps the way the light is hitting them, today?
-Joel
Saw half an eggshell at 9:35 so one must have hatched!
Definitely saw one chick when the adult stood up and moved around about 10am. I got a screenshot of it but don’t know how to add a photo…
Yep, indeed you did. Thanks for the comment.
We saw a hatchling at about 10:00 am.
Yes, thanks for the comment.
11:10 AM Observed what I believe to be the male bird trying to keep the two chicks and the two eggs covered. The two hatchlings are getting bigger!! Which tells me the last two eggs may/may not hatch.
Joel,
I have noticed the video footage to the right (vertical, close-up one) has been freezing quite a bit. At one point when I reloaded the page it was completely black, while the other footage was streaming fine. I just thought I’d let you know if you weren’t already aware.
Love watching these guys! Thanks!
Thanks, Aaron. I’ve noticed that, too. I will see what our IT guy thinks about it and whether there is anything we can do.
Hey Joel? If the unhatched eggs are still in the nest when you tag the chicks, will you guys remove them and try to see why they did not hatch? I know alot of times the parents get rid of them though. Just wondering. The babies are starting to get big
Thanks!
Jeanne:
We do generally remove unhatched eggs when we band the chicks. However, we will not do any work to determine why they did not hatch, we will just assume they were infertile.
-Joel
Either the street construction north of the Capitol Monday morning is getting the bird’s attention or the two chicks are getting so big he/she cant sit on them anymore! I do see one unhatched egg, barely visible. Dont know the status of the fourth egg.
Check your video at 08:46 AM 05/14. Momma bird was on the chicks. Daddy flew in with a meal. Momma prepped the meal for the chicks. Got a clear view of the nest. Two nice sized chicks and one unhatched egg. Still no signs of the fourth egg.
Early this morning one of the eggs was back in the back corner and the other one was kind of out front. What will happen to those eggs?? I am guessing eventually bust or maybe a toss over the edge…smelly…..
Looks like the mama bird and daddy bird think it is finally ok to let the babys get more fresh air… all a part of growing up…
The recent warm weather (highs in the 80s) probably had something to do with the chicks lying prone without the Momma sitting on them.
This morning’s view (5-17) showed the mother sheltering her chicks from the chilly winds. I can clearly see the two infertile eggs sitting on the far side of the nest. It is clear that the parents have abandoned their efforts in getting the last two eggs hatched. Question: When will the chick-naming contest start?? The parents are doing a great job with the two growing up fast chicks!!
The falcon chicks are doing amazing! I worry about the Kestrel babies, so many. Survival of the fittest I guess…..If it starts getting ugly I’ll have to quit watching. lol
Oh god, it’s not looking good for one of the Kestrel babies.
What makes you think so? I think things appear to be going well for them…….
They look better today. Yesterday one of them was not as active as the rest and also not eating. I think I worry too much. Plus I think I watch too much.
Hope this isn’t a silly question…. but the moma bird brought in food for the babies, fed them a little and then took the food and flew away with it. Always before when I have seen her feed between her and the babies they eat the whole critter. Could there have been something wrong with the food??Would she have known that???
It is difficult to know what is going on, it could possibly be the chicks may not need more food or an explanation such as the one you provided.
I’m enjoying the open view of the chicks as they sit/lay while the male/female stands guard on the perch. At times the chicks seems awkward with their ever-growing bodies. But they are sitting up from time to time. I see the two unhatched eggs are still lying in the nest. Caution to other viewers: The chicks have a habit of “shooting” their white poop while they are laying down. Are there any plans in the works to have the chicks checked and banded??
Yes, there are plans! -Joel
I am a nervous mother as I watch them alone in their nest… mother and father have been gone while.. babies are sleeping very nicely..
Babies are still sleeping… mother and father not back yet… I can’t babysit anymore.. have to get back to work. (sigh). I do trust though that mother and father know best.
I would not be overly concerned, these birds know what their doing. -Joel
Yes, I would agree, they know what they are doing… the babies mind very well.
are those two more eggs on the far side of the nest?
Yes! They did not hatch.
I can not believe how these little guys are growing!!
How old are they before you band and check their blood. (Like the ones on the front page? Not sure it said?)
I have so enjoyed being able to watch this and thank you to everyone involved in this project.
Falcon and eagle watching a new addiction for me.
Wondering about the temperature there??
I am sure the wind is brutal on the top of the capital building but sometimes the mom/dad and chicks look and act really cold.
In response to Donna: If you watched them at different times of the day, you will see the chicks in different parts of the nest. In the morning, when its a little chilly, they tend to sit in the sun. When its midday or afternoon, they tend to move under the shade. And if they still feel hot, they would lay flat on the rocks. Lately its been warm enough for the parent to forgo keeping them sheltered. Really cool to see the parent hawk perched on the nest edge, watching and waiting for the chicks next meal.
Note to Joel: I suppose theres no way to identify the sex of the chicks until they get checked and banded? Thanks for the great view!!
Larry:
You are correct, we really can’t tell the sex until we have them in the hand. However, I was noticing how large the feet look this a.m.. Big feet suggest females.
-Joel
At 11:10, 05/24/12 FEEDING TIME! One of the parent falcon (sorry I said hawk earlier) brought in a meal. I can see how the parent would tear apart the meal and feed the chicks! Now I’m hungry! LOL.
I see a band on one of the babies
so when did this occur? I was so busy yesterday I did not get to peek in on them. I hope you have pics?
Greetings from The Flower City of Rochester NY. We stumbled onto your site about a month ago. Truly one of my wife and my favorites! The view from your cams is stunning. Keep up the good work and be sure to check out our cams. Some of the best in North America. You guys ROCK!!
Thank you so much for the comment and thanks for finding us!!! -Joel
Tuesday May 29 – I observed that the chicks are now sprouting feathertips in their wings and tail section. Does this mean the molting process has started? Will the chicks be gradually shedding their baby feathers or just come peeling off. Interesting to see them get up on their big feet, flap their wings and look around for their parents.
I would describe it more like our fingernails, the new grows and the old eventually just falls off. The new, real, feathers are growing fast and the down will just eventually fall off.
Today 05-31-12 was a chilly, raw day to be outside. The chicks are doing the best they can in keeping warm in the winds swirling around the Capitol today. I noticed how one chick had his head turned around and stuck his beak in the feathers on his back! Also I see the dark feathers emerging from the wing tips and tail section. Should be a pretty sign once they finish the molting process. Joel, what is the age range when they are ready to fledge (fly)??
They should fledge at 35-40 days after hatching. They are about 26 days old, today.
Why is there only one chick?
The chicks have a tendency to “sleep together” when they are napping. The camera’s fish eye lens tends to make things look bigger than normal. Also the chicks’ molting process makes it difficult to tell “Paul” from “Frank”. So you probably saw the two chicks together as one!!
One chick either fell out of the nest yesterday morning or flew. The parents were flying around the nest during his absence. I didn’t see how the chick returned but he was back in the nest within an hour.
Larry, one chick was gone! I’ve watched this site since they were born and can tell if they are snuggled together. The remaining chick in the nest was peering over the side or pacing and didn’t sit down much of the time the other chick was gone. The parents were flying around the nest all the time, which they don’t normally do. I’m just sorry I didn’t see what happened.
Sandy,
I’m not doubting you. It could be that the soon-to-be-fledlings are getting anxious to “leave the nest”. The camera doesnt show it, but I think there is a ledge behind the close up camera. Perhaps one of the chicks got out while the parents were away. Either the chick got scared or perhaps got shooed back to the nest by his parents.
Its probably a good thing the last two eggs didnt hatch. Four chicks in a nest would be a handful!! Perhaps an explorer’s name would be fitting for one of the chicks since he was “exploring” outside the nest!
Hi Sandy:
The missing chick may have jumped up on the concrete wall and been out of view of the camera. They are getting to the point where they will begin to explore teh world outside of their nestbox. Others reported only one chick as well.
-Joel
Joel,
I believe the four fledgings at the Woodmen’s Tower in Omaha are about ready to fly. I looked at the Woodmen’s Falcon cam today and three of the birds are already outside of the nest on a ledge.
I noticed today that our two to-be-fledgings at the Capitol were flapping their winds and holding their wings apart as if they were doing flight testing!
Larry:
Indeed, they have begun flapping their wings and I would anticipate that they will be spending more time out of the nestbox. Whenever the Woodmen birds start fledgling, our birds should be a few days behind.
-Joel
Oh no, one of the chicks is out of the nest and eating on top of the building!!
Is this just what happens whne they get older??
This is my first time watching this so I am curious???
Donna, Dont be alarmed! The chicks or soon-to-be fledgings are exploring the area around their nest. Besides its getting a big crowded with two birds growing faster than teenagers! They also need more open areas to flap / exercise their wings. If you checked the Woodmen’s Tower Falcom Cam lately, you will see that the four fledgings are already outside their nest and sitting on the ledge. Keep watching! They will be GONE soon.
Where is the Woodsman Tower cam Site?
I haven’t seen that one. So, the addiction continues.
Don’t know what I wil do with my extra time once everyone leaves their nests??
Maybe not have to mow my yard in the dark….HA!!
Whoa Donna, back it up! Go back to the main page for the Falcons. Go down about halfway the page, there should be a link to the Woodmen’s Tower Falcon Cam. Better hurry up as those birds were born earlier than the Capitol twosome and may be ready to leave the nest (Fledging). Good Luck!
One chick flew off to the east at 9:56 this morning. The remaining chick is looking for it – over the edge and up above.
Question for Joel:
Would it be possible to have a microphone set up so that when you replay a video recording, you can hear the bird calls/talking?? I see the soon-to-be-fledgings getting really “chripy” at times. I’m aware that the winds will create noise problems, exposure to weather, etc. It would enhance the experience if we can hear the birds sing/talk. Thanks.
Larry:
Adding sound is something we will look at in future years. I will have to talk to our IT man to see what is and what is not possible on that front. We have limitations way up on the top of the Capitol. It would be a nice addition.
-Joel
It is kind of sad seeing the little guy in the box all by himself
I know it wont be long and he will be exploring as well. I will admit it makes me nervous watching them up so high LOL. I get a little sea sick. But still love the new camera!!!
Joel, question… I am new at this… will the babies still use the nest as their home after they fly off? I have really enjoyed watching them… thank you for the experience!
Mama came in to feed the boys, then left. One of the boys jumped up on the concrete wall and stood up there for a good 15 minutes… then I regretfully looked away from the monitor, and when I looked again he was gone!! The other one is tentivly watching…..
After I wrote the previous comment, I returned to see what the one boy was doing and the other one was back!! So I don’t know if he flew in or if he was actually hiding in behind the concrete wall somewhere… they are so adorable..
Kind of bittersweet this morning, we really needed the rain but it is sad to see all the empty nests.
I have so enjoyed watching the falcons and eagles (another web cam) this spring/summer. The babies have all grown up…
Question-Do the parents continue to feed them even though they go wondering? Will they eventually leave the nest for good and never return? I know at least one of them slept in the nest last night, the lightening show was pretty neat.
Hi Donna:
Yes, the eyases will be dependent on the parents for a while even though they are not in the nestbox. It will be a slow transition over the next couple months and then late summer/early fall, the youngsters will likely disappear.
-Joel
Could today be the day?? Could this be the day they leave the nest?? I checked on the chicks earlier this AM and one was out on the ledge and the other one was looking out. At 10:15 AM, neither bird was in sight. Yepper, they are like teenagers. One day they will be gone. I wish both birds success in their first year of survival. Chances are one may not live that long. Good luck and Godspeed!!
Nope. Still at the nest, both of them. Checked at 10:55 AM. One was back in the nest, The other was perched on top. Not gone yet!
I have been watching these guys almost every day. I will miss them when they start there new life..Good LUCK GUYS I will be watching the skies for you
Today is the first day for quite awhile that I have seen them together in the nest… they still need their folks!
first time I had climbed to the top of the state capitol building. More importantly, although they never hatched, the eggs I photographed that June day in 2003 were the first confirmed peregrine eggs ever laid in Lincoln.
Just saw an interesting variation on the feeding routine today. Instead of bringing the prey back to the nest, the parent bird landed on the ledge above the nest. It stayed there until one of the fledgling birds jumped up and grabbed it from the parents’ beak. The young one struggled with the prey on the ledge for a minute, then he jumped down into the nest. Both guys got into a bit of a tug-a-war with the prey for a bit. Then they held it down and started consuming their next meal. Yes the birds are still relying on the parents for their meals. No hunting trips yet.
Well, I just took a walk over to the Capitol today on my lunch and I did see both juvies in my binoculars. One still close to the box laying down on the back side of the pillar and the other on a pillar just north of the box sitting tall. Mama was soaring above
I look forward to when they are flying around more as I can usually see them or hear them all summer after they fledge.
Loved watching the falcons every day and will miss them now that they have left the nest. Would have loved to see them take that first flight. Maybe another camera on the side where they climbed and we couldn’t see them?
I love that they keep returning to the camera’s view even as they prepare to fledge – they seem to like their old nest box. It’s amazing to see them learn to use their wings… and, oh so badly want to fly! I visited in April when they were still waiting to hatch, but have been watching them via webcam ever since, so I’m glad they like to visit us. I was worried we’d lost them to the bigger world a few days ago… enjoying every moment until then.
Joel,
Now that the fledglings have left the nest, are there any plans to fix up the nest box, clean it, change the rock bedding, etc? I’m happy with the new camera setup, etc. Any changes being considered here?? Thanks for great coverage this season!!
I am happy to say I saw both fledglings this morning on my walk to work, one was perched way up high and one was perched way down low but both on north side of building. I did snap a couple of pics of them
and Mama was flying above the one that was perched down lower I beleive trying to entice him to fly back up.
Don’t know if this will work, but here is a link to my falcon pics on photobucket…
http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/ii253/iammeanjean/Falcons%20Lincoln%20Capitol%202012/
Thank you for these photos! I keep looking at the cams hoping to get a glimpse of the little guys, but I guess they’ve moved on to new perches. Have you seen them fly yet?
Just this morning as I was walking in I was looking all over the building with my binocs and couldnt see anyone… I figured they were on the other side of the building, so I was going to head on into work when one of the fledglings came flying right over my head! I got my camera out and got a couple vids of him flying around and will add those to my photobucket album tonight. How cool is that!
Thank you so much for the awesome pictures!! I live in Utah and I am obsessed with Peregrine Falcons. We have three little ones that I watch daily here on a webcam and I have been watching these ones in Nebraska since they hatched. I wondered if they were flying or what they are up to so the updates are great!!
NICE!!! -Joel
In the process of uploading a couple vids and a few more pics now, I only saw one fledgling and one adult tonight but I am sure the other was around as the adult was very calm and sitting up high watching
The fledgling was down low still and I watched for awhile but of course he did nothing until I was in my car getting ready to leave then he started flapping his wings and took off flying again! Also I wanted to say to all feel free to share the link to the album… I am just an amateur with a point and shoot camera, but I sure am glad to be able to share my pics with other falcon watchers who aren’t as lucky as I am to be able to walk by here every work day and see them in real time, which to me is pretty dang cool.
Very good pictures!!! You must have a lot of patience and a steady hand to get some of those shots. Good Job….
Question-I had asked before where the nest was and tried to figure it out by looking at the pictures of the capital. Can you give me an idea from one of your pictures??
Thanks again for sharing!!
I believe the nest is located on top of the left pillar on the north side of the capital building.
I found this picture from a google search so you can kind of get a rough idea.
http://capitol.org/images/uploads/december2010-2.jpg
As of 12:15 pm CST on 6/22, there is one of the falcon’s sitting in the nest. Not familiar enough to determine if it is one of the fledges or the parents.
The nest is located on the north side of the east buttress on the 18th floor. The photo you linked to does not show the nestbox.
This photo shows the nest box and the fledglings at the time with notes
http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/ii253/iammeanjean/Falcons%20Lincoln%20Capitol%202012/?action=view¤t=012-Copy-1.jpg
OMGoodness, how lucky am I? This morning when walking into work I came across Mama feeding the fledgling that has been haning out down lower on the building. Took some pics and a couple vids of it (the vids will be a bit shaky). AWESOME! And I saw Papa and the other fledgling up high too. All four this morning, what a cool sighting, I will post the pics when I get home tonight, and they are pretty cool if I can say so myself. I was able to get real close! Also Donna I have a pic on here with remarks as to where the fledglings are in it, I will add a comment to show where the nest box is too so you can see, I will do this tonight as well. Thanks everyone hope you are enjoying looking at these as much as I am enjoying taking and sharing them
Thanks Jeanne! The pix are great… and the videos so much fun! Thanks for keeping us all in touch with these little guys!
Thank you so much!! Your pictures are very good and from all the directions I was close??
I may have been on the wrong side but…..Directions have never been a stong suit of mine…HA!!!
I have really been missing “Larry and Johnny” (Larry the cable guy and Johnny Carson), but your pictures let me see them.
My names didn’t make the list but that is what I had been callng them…HA!
Thanks again!!!
A special thanks to Joel and Tony for providing a lot of us with viewing fun this year.
06/29 0950 AM. Either one of the parents or one of the fledlings returned to the nest. The bird is currently sitting on the ledge right UP CLOSE to the camera. And appears to be taking a “NAP”. I just can believe the beautiful plumage of that bird. Love It.
There hasn’t been a lot of activity from the falcons around the times I happen to be walking by the Capitol for the last week or so, I am going to assume the heat makes a difference in this and the fact they are flying better and further away from the building as they get older. I have seen the parents and the fledglings at times flying around the building or towards downtown. This morning one of the fledglings took off towards the SW as I was walking in to work. I have gotten a few pics and will get those uploaded to my photobucket one of these evenings, but since the day I saw Mama feeding the one fledgling the sightings have been fewer and they seem to be way up higher now too
which is good and normal I think. I have noticed Mama at the nestbox quite a few times also all calm and just haning out which to me is also a good sign that things are progressing normally. Although I am no expert 
just an avid watcher.
Here is the link to my photobucket album again.
http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/ii253/iammeanjean/Falcons%20Lincoln%20Capitol%202012/
My coworker saw both fledglings this morning on the Windstream tower. He actually heard them first
then he saw them both take off together towards the Capitol building sqwaking as they went, lol
Joel, the new camera shot has been buffering for me for months. Prior to that I was always able to view new camera angle, but all of a sudden I’m having problems.
The new camera started up again. I am assuming that you had it turned off while no one was using the box. Glad to see it’s back on. thanks.
Love this nest!! I saw two peregrines at the nest today, the lights not good enough to tell who. I did however see a black over green band on the one. So maybe it is 19K?
As a proud new papa, it is my pleasure to announce the arrival of the first egg of 2013 at 11:55 p.m. Monday. I watched for around two hours last night, saw the falcon was moving around quite a bit. She’d crane her neck to look under herself, as to check if anything unexpected had happened. Then she tilted her body a little bit, and out popped the egg! First time I’ve actually seen the blessed event!
Expanding just a bit on my previous post. This “craning and looking act” was repeated a number of times as I was watching. Sort of funny, really. I’m glad I held on, I was getting a bit tired toward the end. After I went to bed a thunderstorm moved in, as you other locals know. I don’t know if the bird stayed on her “rocky nest” through the deluge, but she’s gone this morning…for awhile, anyway. As we nest-watchers know, it’s not unusual for the eggs to be left unattended early in the whole process. I know that’s nature’s way to ensure the eggs all get hatched around the same time…when it’s time the eggs in the nesting box will all be incubated at the same time. (This is info that Joel has passed along in the past. I’m not smart enough to know that on my own.)
Joel, how does this cold spell effect the egg in the nesting box? I know it was out in the open quit a bit.
On another subject, Joel. Is there anyway you can arrange for the news posts to be shown first? The present setup makes it difficult for folks to find out the latest news without scrolling way down! Just a thought.
The nest cam seems to be quite jerky or skipping, it doesn’t run as smoothly as the wide view cam. Is this happening to everyone or is it my computer. I also think it would be good if news posts could be shown first.
I don’t know I everyone knows but there are four eggs now.
One of Alley’s eggs hatched sometime over night!! ♥
Yay!!! All four eggs have hatched and Alley just fed them all! What a good Mom!!