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I just wanted to update any SW Florida Eagle nest cam followers (Harriet and M15) - Harriet still hasn’t returned. It’s been two weeks. However, dad M15 has really stepped up and is doing a phenomenal job raising the two eaglets. It doesn’t happen very often in the wild-rarely successfully, and the eaglets were still at a very vulnerable age when Harriet disappeared. So far though, dad is hunting, feeding, protecting the nest and resting when he can. It is amazing to see. The eaglets have grown and the older one is standing upright now. Big milestone. They started self- feeding earlier than usual. Another big deal. The younger eaglet is starting to grow a pair and stop letting older sibling peck and steal all the food. Every day equals more hope and promise.

Some takeaways. This may sound cheesy. I don’t care. Like Ricky Gervais- I just don’t care. Some members here need hope. I’ve noticed that a lot and many are vulnerable and need to get more of it together. To believe in miracles.

Harriet’s disappearance has been devastating to many people all over the world. This isn’t an understatement. Many started watching this eagle pair years ago. I found out some people in FL had observed Harriet and her other mate, Ozzie since 1991. Many started watching during the original c19 lockdowns. They were a source of hope and calming during that time. It shocked and upset many to have Harriet disappear but I think with the current state of things- dad stepping up and doing everything he can to raise those eaglets, this is a clear sign of God’s grace. There is always hope! Somehow, dad was given a bit extra eagle strength to carry on by himself. He has to in order to survive. He has to for his offspring, as well. The life of an eagle is filled with peril and that may surprise many but half of all eagles don’t make it to adulthood.

Big human lessons and lessons for us here. We can’t give up, no matter how dire things seem. Sometimes we miss the good signs. We focus too much on what could happen, what is rumored to be happening and worst case scenarios, rather than on the smaller achievements and promise of a better day. We’ve all needed to learn some new skills, adapt to the conditions. To have patience and faith. To muster up every last bit of strength and energy to make it another day or another battle or war. To keep ourselves in top form. To think ahead and plan and not be reactionary to everything.

The nest was and still is being visited by an intruder eagle but it seems it just wants to steal the fish and other food M15 has stocked the “pantry” with. When you look at it, this is exactly what would happen to us who’ve prepped and stocked our homes with food and supplies. Someone’s gonna come and try to take it, guaranteed. Learn how to protect and defend because your survival depends on it. We’re no different than the eagle. God will give us strength and guidance but we still have to do the work. No matter what has happened to Harriet or any serious or trivial matter to us as people, we have to carry on. There is a reason the eagle is our American symbol of strength and freedom. So many lessons learned and I’m really grateful I happened upon this tremendous eagle pair.