Peregrine Falcon Project Observation Log 9

5/10 Weather conditions over night were nasty ~ thunder, heavy rain, and mist with temperatures in mid 50s to low 60s. However it warmed up early and got in to the high 70s by late afternoon / early evening. The eyases didn't seem to mind, they looked ready to go in the morning ... although they are not going to far. They seem to like the back, left corner of the nest box the best, and like Dad, they face the wall a lot (maybe camera shy). They are still practicing stretching their wings out and standing.
"This wall is in the way."	The gang's all here.
5/11 Temperatures overnight were in the high 60s / low 70s. By 10:00 AM it was already 73.9° F, however by afternoon it was back down in the 60s with light rain at noon and wind gusting to 46 MPH by early evening. The eyases are officially 2 weeks old now and beginning to step out (picture on right ~ 8:20 AM). They continue to be fed by Mom every several hours. More pictures are in our Baby Album.	"That's right ... come to mama."
Lunch is over ...	Still can't coax them to the edge ...
5/12 Overnight temperatures in upper 40s to mid 50s and rain ... ALL night and continuing ALL day today. Temperatures were not much better ~ high of only 51° F. Those are some soggy birds! The babies seem like they have gotten huge in a short time too! The babies seem to want to test their little wings but don't exactly know what to do with them yet. Because of the wet and windy (up to 30 MPH) day, they stayed huddled back in their favorite corner most of the time. We think it won't be long before they are venturing out on that ledge.
Dad, on a mount, keeping a watchful eye on the babies.	And Mom, wondering what is going on inside the office.
SW Preparing Breakfast	"My that was a filling dove!"
5/13 Overnight temperatures were in the upper 40s with light rain until 1:00 AM. It was a cool and windy day today so the eyases spent most of the day in their favorite corner huddled together. SW is no longer brooding the babies ~ she is at in the nest box to feed them and then disappears to a nearby perch. We are anxious to see how close to the nest box she is in 2 days ~ that is when the babies will be removed for "banding" and blood tests. Our prediction is SW is not going to be too happy to see her babies taken away, even for a short time!
"Can't catch me!"	"Let's play follow the leader..."
5/14 Overnight temperatures in the upper 40s / low 50s ... and stayed pretty much the same during the day reaching a high of 59° F about 3:00 PM. It was a typical day on the nest ... sleeping, eating, sleeping, moving around in the nest box a little, and sleeping ... The babies are resting up and conserving all their energy for the big day tomorrow ~ banding day!
Good Morning Sunshine	"Now, when you see those hands ready to grab you tomorrow it means you are going to get banded ... this is what you do ..."