Spectacular photos!  

https://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/greatest-hits-cassini-s-incredible-tour-saturn-n749311

http://time.com/4943284/nasa-cassini-saturn/

Bailey update:

Oh dear - Bailey has been rescued again.

From Eric:About 40 minutes after releasing Bailey and watching her successfully fly off we spotted her again in the water on the opposite side of the island. Again I went out in the boat and brought her aboard. She showed 2 small wounds. One on her upper thigh and one on her lower back, suggesting another attempted attack by an eagle. They appear to be superficial, but we did decide to send her along to the local rehabber to get antibiotics and a thorough inspection of the wounds. Before sending her off I was able to get a few more fish for her and she consumed about 2 entire mackerel. We hope to have her back later this afternoon or tomorrow morning so that Steve is still around to help in her care and she may still migrate on time. We will try to keep you posted as things develop. We are all wishing Bailey the best. Eric"

MeiXiang will not give birth this year. The giant panda team has been monitoring her hormones and behavior very closely during the past several weeks. Her hormones returned to baseline levels today, but she did not give birth, indicating that she was either experiencing a pseudopregnancy or did conceive but resorbed the embryo. #PandaStory http://s.si.edu/2eXRpvL

Hog Island Ospreys..
Poor Bailey!  GHO attack, wasps..now an Eagle attack!  Watch the rescue!

From Poppy Mod ~ I just received an email from Eva Mathews, Hog Island's Program Manager with some further information and pictures:
"Hi Regina, Bailey was forced from the sky this morning by a Bald Eagle. I’ve posted on the Hog Island Audubon Camp’s Facebook and in the Explore chat about the incident. Attached are a couple more photos for you after the rescue. Eric and myself went out in the pontoon and picked her up. Scott Weidensaul looked her over and we deemed her healthy. We also showed our campers Bailey up close after the rescue. After letting her dry we fed her a fresh mackerel and released her on Hog Island."

http://youtu.be/KX8SkHM_Oow

http://13wham.com/news/local/wandering-racing-pigeon-enlists-travel-agents-help-getting-home

I see a business opportunity for travel agents booking yearly migrations.

           

Shades of good dads Dot.ca and Kaver.

Good boy, or odd chap?
Published 8 September, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross
Got back from Brisbane late Tuesday and just catching up with our pair.   I’ve noticed that Xavier has stopped bringing in much food and is keen to help out with the incubation (something previous males were not that keen to do usually, especially with three eggs).  He even arrived at one time having clearly just made a kill, with blood on his feet.  That seems a bit cheeky, or is he stashing the prey for Diamond (see below)?

And he’s hanging about waiting for her to move so he can take over (at least I assume that’s what he’s up to….)….often he’s reluctant to move when she returns from her excursion.    He seems very comfortable and is usually not having problems settling over the three eggs and on one occasion he stayed almost motionless incubating for four hours while Diamond was off gallivanting about, presumably hunting for herself.

Xavier even made the same mistake as Dot.ca. He tried to feed the eggs (see attached photo).

Hope things go well here!  So funny when they bring food to the eggs! 

Thanks for the Spirit update, Alison!

https://pilotonline.com/life/wildlife-nature/coastal-journal/osprey-skips-migration-to-help-its-sister-with-broken-wing/article_f59acf2d-8cdf-5638-a4fb-e2fe82849fd1.html?utm_content=buffer5bafb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer&fref=gc&dti=950466425120410

From FB..2 eggs for Lady and Pappa!

Necropsy report on HK..

From Ed Clark at WCV:
The results of the necropsy performed on HK confirmed our worst fears--that there were internal injuries that would not show up immediately. Indeed, there were multiple injuries, including one we have never seen before...several vertebrae in the middle of HK's spine that had literarily died, and were starting to deteriorate. This, combined with the bruising of his heart and lungs, and the associated hemorrhaging, suggest that his fate was sadly sealed from the instant of the impact with the car. The only good news is that with the damage to the nerves, and the pain medication he was being given, it is unlikely that he was experiencing any pain or discomfort.

https://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/patient-updates/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk-update-5

From the Teton Raptor Center in Wyoming, a recent photo of Hunter, one of the 2016 Woodmen juvies who is now a permanent resident there as an education ambassador. He is a beautiful bird.



https://www.facebook.com/tetonraptorcenter/posts/10155110379324912

                Gorgeous! Thanks for posting, Alison!

Pot Plant Owls are back and have their first egg! 

Late DC visit

(movie)

While DC was in the nest box tonight, you could hear Beauty vocalizing from close by. 

         

Just read that and was coming over to post.  Such sad news but I kind of expected it, seeing as the news yesterday wasn't encouraging. Fly free, HK. 

Late DC visit

(movie)