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I'm watching too.  Have to make lunch but forget it! Anxiety is high.

13:45- The camera person is getting some wonderful close up shots of Thunder.  Thank You.

I just want to say how much I have enjoyed watching Thunder everyday and I feel like it is one of my own children leaving the nest.  Thank you so much to Russell and channel 2 for all their coverage of this wonderful opportunity. 

15:20 Hawklet on left of nest flapping and hopping about.  Adult Male lands in nest with prey(can't see what it is).  Hawklet jumps into nest and begins to eat.  Male hops to 9 and then to edge of platform past 11 and onto top of satellite dish.  Female lands on rail at 5 .  She moves to 5 and turns to watch the hawklet eat.  She seems extremely interested in the eating- turning her head and observing very closely.  After several minutes she turns away from the nest at five.  Hawklet still in nest eating.

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'Security—does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.' Helen Keller

15:24 - Male flies in with prey, can't tell what it is, lays it at 10. Male flies out and lands on top of this dish on the tower.  Female flies in to railing at 6 facing 9.  She turns to face 6, she is blocking view of Thunder except for the tail.  Female flies to the railing above the platform outside the nest at 9.  Thunder is eating the prey.  This is the first time we have seen this railing over the platform.  The camera person is really giving us a good view of the areas around the nesting area today.  I wonder how many times there has been a watchful adult on this railing that we never saw.  This has been a good day.  Thank you camera person.

5:46, cloudy and 57, wind N at 7 MPH.

Thunder is standing at far right facing 9:00, preening.

Lifts right wing slightly, preens over that shoulder, then works on left wing and upper back. Also preening chest feathers. Slowly pulling each feather through bill.

Lifts right foot to scratch neck area, with a very slight loss of balance.

Comes up from one preening session with little downy feathers on top of his head all standing askew.

He's got those beautiful blonde brows like Jay.

Getting those feathers in top shape for first flight, Preening for a solid 15 minutes I was watching. It is now 6:07.

9:57, 58 with slow, steady rain. NE wind 10 MPH. Thunder laying down facing 10:00.

06:34 Cloudy, windy and cool.  Rained yesterday and last night, but no severe weather.

Thunder up and about, practicing flapping.  From the concrete curb at 9, he lifted himself straight up, about 4 inches, without forward movement - very impressive.  Getting more confident by the hour, it seems.

6:37 Now preening in nest and looking around. Good morning.

7:45, cloudy, thunderstorms, 55 with NNW wind 8 MPH.

Thunder at far of nest right looking to 8:00 when not looking around. Lifts right leg a little, sets it down.

Preen, preen, preen, especially little chest feathers past 10 minutes.

08:40 - Thunder is tearing and eating prey.  I can't tell what it is but she is doing a wonderful job of tearing at it herself.  Will today be THE day? 

Today could just be THE day!  Thunder was outside the nest on the platform edge and spread wings (gosh they're a very wide span).  He spread his wings several times,flapped them up and down, and  acted as if he really wanted to take off, then backed up and went back into his nest.  It's 11:19, and he was facing 10....

12:00 - Thunder alone in nest resting at 6.

12:04 - Female flies in at 3 with prey, small rodent. When she lands on the railing it seems to surprise Thunder who then stumbles all around trying to stand up, an oops moment for sure!  Thunder is standing at 9 being fed by Female at 3.

12:10 - Both Thunder and mom are standing at 3 eating very aggressively.  It almost looks like a competition.

14:57  Thunder standing at 3 looking toward 9.  He seems pretty happy in that nest.  He looks like he is ready for the prom - all dressed up and ready to go.  He is gorgeous.  Very curious, looking about but not flapping or jumping.  Just checking things out.

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'Security—does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.' Helen Keller

15:12  Flapping on platform. Wind caught wings and had lift for a few seconds. Amazing! I do believe the pole got in the way and broke is rhythm.

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The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. ~Author Unknown

I can't get my computer to show anything!  At the most important time!  Is the baby gone yet?  I wish I could see him take off