How very fitting that it was you that found him MAK, he's come to visit you and say hello.   

[MAKfalcon (MAK): The Medley Center falcon this morning is Canadian. Black over black S/39. I sent a message to Tracy to find out where it's from]

MAKfalcon (MAK): The Medley Center falcon this morning is Canadian. Black over black S/39. I sent a message to Tracy to find out where it's from

IT'S BIG FRANK..OH MY GOD!!!!  Son of Jack and O'Connor, named after our 'Frank'!!!  I have to tell you I'm in tears of joy right now...

A momentary visit from DC:

   

Ready for more babies 

From the National Zoo Website:
August 26

The smaller of the two giant panda cubs born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Aug. 22, died shortly after 2 p.m. today, Aug. 26. The panda team rotated both cubs in the past 24 hours allowing each to benefit from spending time with their mother, Mei Xiang. The smaller cub was with Mei Xiang from about 2 p.m. yesterday, Aug. 25, until this morning. When the panda team swapped the cubs this morning, they assessed the little cub and had concerns because it had not increased in weight, appeared weaker and exhibited possible respiratory issues.

The panda team immediately began taking actions to improve the condition of the smaller cub. They administered antibiotics, respiratory support, formula and fluids.

The Zoo's pathologists will perform a necropsy (animal autopsy) on the 4-day-old giant cub. A final pathology report will provide more information in the next few weeks. The veterinary and pathology team will continue to work closely during the ongoing histological evaluation.

At the time of death, the cub weighed 79.8 grams, about 2.8 ounces. The mortality rate for panda cubs in their first year in human care is 26 percent for males and 20 percent for females. Note that some early mortality rates may be underestimated.

Giant pandas give birth to twins approximately 50 percent of the time. This is only the third time a giant panda living in the United States has given birth to twins. At the birth of the second cub, Mei Xiang demonstrated that she was challenged to care for both cubs, but she did not indicate a preference for one cub over the other. The collective scientific knowledge about giant panda mothers is that they are best able to care for one cub at a time.

Per the Giant Panda Twin Hand-Rearing protocol, the panda team alternately swapped the cubs, allowing one to nurse and spend time with Mei Xiang while the other was bottle fed and kept warm in an incubator. The primary goal for the panda team was for both cubs to have the benefit of nursing and spending time with their mother. The cub-swapping approach the panda team used to care for the twin cubs was developed by Chinese colleagues during the past 15 years.

The panda team continues to monitor Mei Xiang and the larger cub via the Panda Cams. They are encouraged that this cub appears to be strong and robust, and that it is behaving normally, urinating and defecating. At last weigh-in, the cub weighed 137.7 grams. Despite these encouraging signs, the team continues to closely monitor both Mei Xiang and her cub around the clock, as the cub is still vulnerable and the risk remains high.

The Zoo will continue to provide daily updates on Mei Xiang and the cub.

From NZ just now:

We are sad to announce that the smaller of the two panda cubs has died. The panda team continues to monitor Mei Xiang and the larger cub. They are encouraged that this cub appears to be strong and behaving normally.

 

They just had a live presser online, both cubs doing well. Here is the link to watch it on replay:

https://www.periscope.tv/w/aKm0kDEyNjJ8NjgwMDQ3MzWpqEM_hgEDXwV73kgkiGAsJmMNjBabMnMD_zMsqEP5vg==

Cub 1 that we saw born was only 86 grams - he/she spent 10 hours with mom until they did a swap at 6.30 am and now he/she is in the incubator.

Cub 2 is a hefty 138 grams - he was born second and that was the one they retrieved and he is now with mom after the swap.

I went to bed too early, TWINS!!!!

We can confirm a second giant panda cub was born at 10:07 pm. The panda team retrieved one of the cubs per "twin hand rearing" protocol and has placed it in an incubator. It appears to be in good health."

WE HAVE A CUB!!!

Panda team has confirmed that Mei Xiang's water broke. Hoping for healthy cub. May take a few hours. Keep watching our panda cam. If you're having trouble connecting, download National Zoo app. ‪#‎PandaStory‬ ‪#‎WeSaveSpecies‬

[From the National Zoo: Our panda team believes Mei Xiang is in labor! She is restless, having contractions, body licking and remains in her den—all behaviors consistent with an imminent birth. We are monitoring Mei very closely through the web cams and are hoping for a healthy cub. It could take several hours or longer for Mei to give birth. If you tune in to the panda cams you can watch along with our panda team.]

From the National Zoo:

Our panda team believes Mei Xiang is in labor! She is restless, having contractions, body licking and remains in her den—all behaviors consistent with an imminent birth. We are monitoring Mei very closely through the web cams and are hoping for a healthy cub. It could take several hours or longer for Mei to give birth. If you tune in to the panda cams you can watch along with our panda team.

It's Sandy 

 

I'm sure there are plans in the works to remove the Powers nest box, most likely in Oct before B & DC decide to bond up there? Boy wouldn't that be a kick in the bum if they took to it now!! Beauty really seems to like it, go figure. This is the first year they have NOT been back to the TS NB after the kids have fledged. I blame Cadence, (LOL), she loved it over there! 

They may find it attractive because there is a new pair nesting nearby and it may give them a better view of the other pair.  Don't forget that Pigott was able to fly right in and check out the nest box without B being the wiser at the time - they may have a better line of sight from the Powers box or a better overall view of their territory.

I know it's not popular opinion but I'd rather it stayed to give them the option at least of a successful nest if they do decide to move.  If they're contemplating it, they'll move either way..and better Powers than somewhere where there is no box.

A great, great man.  He will be missed by all.