Charlotte Got Wet: observation by John Blakeman

Photo by Lincoln Karim
6/21/05
Junior taking off, Charlotte [with wet legs] feeding babies

Marie,

In Lincoln's photos posted yesterday of Charlotte landing and feeding at the nest ledge, it is apparent that she got her legs wet. The trailing feathers of her legs are compressed and soggy.

I don't think she took a bath, which would have gotten all of her feathers wet. She may have dipped into a pond, osprey-like, trying to catch a fish at the surface. We found a good number of fish remains in Ohio red-tail nests. A big goldfish that lingers at the surface of a Central Park pond would be a nice culinary diversion for the eyasses.

Whatever happened, Charlotte came to the nest with wet legs.

Sincerely,

John A. Blakeman