The Queen has arrived  



and bonding ensues.



 

Wall repair inspector DC on duty  

DC and B this morning 

Looks like we had a visitor at the Powers nest box earlier today.  Dot.ca I assume? 

It's him 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone   

DC making a late day visit.

This is a first for me - I've never heard of falcons producing offspring in late August/early September which is when they would have hatched.  From Chicago Facebook:

Chicago Peregrine Program
1 hr  
Surprise! Surprise! (said in our best Gomer accent)
Bet you didn't expect to see a new set of chicks this late in the year. Neither did we!  Our O'Hare birds surprised us with a very late renest. We were able to band last week.

Top post on their page if you want to check it out:

https://www.facebook.com/IllinoisPeregrines/

7.28 am - DC at Powers.

We have a cub!!!

"Joyous news: a precious giant panda cub has arrived! Mei Xiang gave birth at 6:35 p.m. and is caring for her newborn attentively. Keepers are watching Mei Xiang?s behavior and hope to see her nurse the cub and cradle it close to keep him/her warm. They?re also listening for loud squeals, which are signs of a healthy cub."

Oh my goodness, they're adorable 

Oh boy...just got this in my email!!!  Don't want to get too excited but this would be amazing if it happens!

Veterinarians Detect Fetal Tissue
on Mei Xiang's Ultrasound


Veterinarians at the Smithsonian?s National Zoo detected tissue consistent with fetal development during giant panda Mei Xiang?s (may-SHONG) ultrasound this morning, Aug. 14. It is too early to determine if the tissue is a completely viable developing fetus as there is the potential that the fetus could be resorbed. If the fetal tissue continues to develop, veterinarians estimate that Mei Xiang could give birth within the next few days. Veterinarians first detected fetal tissue last week, and they have since noted developing skeletal structure and strong blood flow within Mei Xiang?s uterus. If the fetal tissue resorbs, her hormones will return to baseline levels and her behavior will return to normal.

There is a substantial possibility that Mei Xiang could resorb or miscarry a fetus. Scientists do not fully understand why some mammals resorb fetuses.

Two Starlings checking out their new digs.   

Awww...so cute 

Someone having some empty nest syndrome..Miss B 

Hello Hope!  Hope visited the TS nest box this morning!   

 

I didn't see any visits by the Falcons at the Powers Nest Box, but I did see this Bee.  

That's not the 'B' we hoped to see