Hatched

The single egg on the Arboretum nest hatched yesterday , June 19, at about 6 a.m. Both parents were so excited, as new first time parents often are. The male was so very interested in peeking at the chick. For some reason I can't  get photos to load here but there are images on our Facebook page if you want to see the little one half way out of the egg, and subsequent photos of the parents watching the little guy.
All is well this morning on the Arboretum cam nest. Chick survived the heat and the storms yesterday. Female is keeping the chick hidden this morning, but I did see the little wiggle worm beneath her. Mr Z3 is so fun to watch....he arrived with a whole fish a short time ago. Many of you know that males usually eat the head of the fish off first, with all its boney parts and then presents the soft body of the fish to the female so she can feed the soft fleshy parts to the young. The female did not get up when he arrived with the whole fish so he left with it, ate the head off and returned and offered it to her again....he literally dropped it in front of her, but again, she did not get up, so he ate the whole fish right there in front of her. Then she stood up and I saw another whole fish laying right next to her!!!
Ha ha he is providing well for them! He was out on the nest perch, but when she stood up he flew into the nest right away and cocked his head to the side to peek at the wee one. He is so curious, wants to see the chick, and is doing a great job of providing. It makes me smile to watch him. They are off to a good start!