Video by Dan Dolinh. Thank you for watching.
Epic Survival Skills Demonstrated From Both Fledglings: Beak To Talon Transfer; Flying With Fish In Talons; Eating On Branches; Art Of The Steal; Carrying Fish To Nest; Exactly Three Weeks After Fledge!
Storm and Spring graduated with flying fish colors this morning, demonstrating crucial survival skills that will greatly assist them when they disperse and on their own.  

Dad departed for the lake at 5:42 am returning less than four minutes later with a fish landing midway down on the ONT.  It was still pretty dark but I grabbed as many pics as I could to later decipher the details of the action and behavior.  (I am sharing a couple dark and low quality images of this epic activity so you can appreciate the newly acquired skill level that I have never witnessed from a fledgling before.)  Dad quickly devoured the head and both fledglings frantically flew past trying to get to him.  Dad departed and both youngsters flew to the branch that dad was eating on.  I didn’t realize it at the time as I thought perhaps the fish was dropped; lo and behold, the fish was still on the branch.  Spring grabbed the fish with their beak.  As Spring launched, he transferred the fish from beak to talons then flew to the family tree to chow down.  Storm slowly tried to sneak in for the steal.  After 40 minutes, Storm successfully made the steal and consumed the rest of the fish.
Meanwhile, dad proudly watched his prodigy show off their newly acquired skills from the Lakeside tree.  Dad departed for the lake around 7:30.  The kids took a few short flights then they both ended up together on the lakeside tree to rest.
Around 8:15, both fledglings took flight toward the lake.  I moved inside to the trail.  Moments after I started my hike, both youngsters returned to the habitat.  Shortly before 9:00, both kids began calling out.  I was sure Mr. Majestic was on his way with a goodie.  I spotted him coming in from eagle point with a huge headless fish.  He landed on the family tree and both kids met him there.  Dad offers Storm a few bites then dad lets him take possession of the fish.  Storm looked so proud and regal holding the fish within his grasp.  He then launched with the fish secured in their talons landing at the top of the AET to eat.  Spring eventually flew and landed right next to him.  I made my way back out on the road again. Just as I arrived, Storm flew with the rest of the fish (beak to talon transfer) in his talons landing in the nest.  Guess who followed?   Both were in the nest when I left and dad on the lakeside tree.
After watching today’s epic milestones, I have no doubt that Hannah and Majestic’s Season 11 offspring are more than ready to disperse on to graduate school away from home.
Report by Judy
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