Two live webcams are giving exciting peeks into the lives of a new family of bald eagles in California, as well as an expecting couple in the nation's capital.
Just west of Los Angeles in the Channel Islands National Park, a feathered couple welcomed two hatchlings into the world this week, in what wildlife officials say follows three years of unsuccessful attempts by the parents.
Thanks to a webcam pointed at their Sauces Canyon nest in Santa Cruz Island, viewers have been treated to the sight of regular feedings as well as mom and dad lovingly taking turns warming their babies.
"The couple will protect and nurture them until the juvenile eagles branch off on their own at 10-14 weeks of age," according to Explore.org, which teamed up with the National Park Service to live stream the birds of prey.
The first chick was seen hatching Saturday morning. It wasn’t until Monday afternoon, two days later, that the younger sibling made its big debut.
The eagles’ birth is a particularly joyful celebration for the NPS, with the first bald eagles, unaided by humans, hatching at the park in 2006. That followed 61 bald eagles being released across the islands in 2002 and 2006.
“Thrilled with the public interest in this historic event, the National Park Service and its partners established webcams that bring live, streaming images of bald eagle nests into the schools and homes of millions of Americans,” the NPS states on its website.
Meanwhile, approximately 2,600 miles east in Washington D.C., another bald eagle couple is also busy coddling their eggs which, as of Wednesday, are expected to hatch at any moment.
The couple, appropriately named Mr. President and The First Lady, have been seen warming their two eggs since early February, according to Eagles.org, which is hosting the webcam.
The website warns viewers: "This is a wild eagle nest and anything can happen. While we hope that two healthy juvenile eagles will end up fledging from the nest this summer, things like sibling rivalry, predators and natural disaster can affect this eagle family and may be difficult to watch."
