Ok, Here's the update.
First off, I know this has been a painful wait, and for that we apologize. The guys have been working with a series of technical challenges that don't seem to stop. Some are related to boxes going bad, and others to the high winds we have faced the past several weeks.
Yesterday, we worked all afternoon to get the cam started, and it didn't work. We were concerned that the camera had succumbed to the elements. This morning, the guys were at the tree and hooked a monitor into the cam cable and voila, they saw the female in the nest, very likely sitting on eggs.
They now have to do some additional work to make the microwave link work. If they succeed, the cam should be set and online. This still could take a few more days...
They will be back out there today working. If they do see the female up when the monitor is hooked in, they'll give us a report on how many eggs.
Kudos to Keith, John, and Mike for their perseverance on this problem. The technology used here is different from other cams that we look at and unfortunately has presented challenges that none of us wanted to have to tackle. We still need to keep our fingers crossed, we are not yet out of the woods.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Tuesday Jan 30
We went out to reset the faulty voltage box this morning and as you can see it would no longer reset. The new box has been ordered and hopefully will come soon.
as always hang in there. The new equipment should fix this once and for all.
New thread.
as always hang in there. The new equipment should fix this once and for all.
New thread.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Sunday afternoon
All I can tell you is the box has been ordered and it's being shipped fedex. Hopefully we'll see it early next week. I'm sure the eguys will get the cam up tomorrow antil we can get that box installed. ALso, the software that solves the live cam lockup was ordered as well.
Enjoy your sunday.
Enjoy your sunday.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Wednesday january 24
Basically what's happening is our voltage regulator for the cam microwave feed is going bad. We have ordered another one. Seems like we are in the process of replacing things in the cam system one by one. We're working on it...
New thread.
New thread.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Sunday 21 January
Sorry about the continued technical problems. We're all pretty frustrated. I was out at NCTC yesterday but did not have the ability to fix the problem... I guess there's always Monday.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Friday January 19
Sorry, been trying to put up a new thread for almost 3 hours and blogger has been slow as molasses.
That tree has really been shakin with the wind.
New Thread.
That tree has really been shakin with the wind.
New Thread.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Tuesday 16 Jan
New thread.
We are continuing to troubleshoot our technical problem,s. Looks like it's the battery (we've ordered another one) or the voltage regulator (may need a new one. Stay tuned.
Saw one of the eagles perched down at our boat ramp Friday afternoon.
We are continuing to troubleshoot our technical problem,s. Looks like it's the battery (we've ordered another one) or the voltage regulator (may need a new one. Stay tuned.
Saw one of the eagles perched down at our boat ramp Friday afternoon.
Tuesday 16 Jan
We are continuing to troubleshoot our technical problem,s. Looks like it's the battery (we've ordered another one) or the voltage regulator (may need a new one. Stay tunes and new thread.
Saw one of the eagles perched down at our boat ramp Friday afternoon.
Saw one of the eagles perched down at our boat ramp Friday afternoon.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Monday January 15, 2007
New thread. Had a very difficult time with Blogger yesterday, would not let me in. Couple that with the cam issues, and the MLK holiday, and we'll likely not be back up to speed until tomorrow.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Friday, January 12, 2007
Friday Afternoon 1/12/07
First chance we've had to check the blog today. Busy busy day.
Friday thread.
Friday thread.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Thursday January 11
Just looked at the cam and saw the problems. Will get back with you once I understand what's up.
update: back up!
update: back up!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Wednesday January 10
Coming in a bit late today, so I checked the cam.
Looks like the high winds last night messed up our microwave link. Hang in there while they fix it.
more later.
Looks like the high winds last night messed up our microwave link. Hang in there while they fix it.
more later.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Frisky Monday Update
Lots going on in the nest today with our eagle pair, looks likely that they definitely intend to use the nest again this year. ;>)
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Friday, January 05, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Thursday January 4
Here's a link for WV Wildlife Magazine on Bald Eagles in WV. A little outdated now, but interesting nonetheless.
"West Virginia Status: The first documented bald eagle nest in West Virginia was discovered in 1981. Eleven nests produced 21 eaglets in 2001. These nest sites were located in Grant, Hardy, Hampshire, Pendleton , and Mineral counties. In 1999, a pair nested in Hancock County but were apparently unsuccessful in producing young. In 2001, a pair nested on Blennerhassett Island in the Ohio River near Parkersburg , but no young were hatched. Twelve nests were active in 2002, but not the nest on Blennerhassett Island. Non-breeding eagles have been seen in most areas of the state."
"West Virginia Status: The first documented bald eagle nest in West Virginia was discovered in 1981. Eleven nests produced 21 eaglets in 2001. These nest sites were located in Grant, Hardy, Hampshire, Pendleton , and Mineral counties. In 1999, a pair nested in Hancock County but were apparently unsuccessful in producing young. In 2001, a pair nested on Blennerhassett Island in the Ohio River near Parkersburg , but no young were hatched. Twelve nests were active in 2002, but not the nest on Blennerhassett Island. Non-breeding eagles have been seen in most areas of the state."
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Monday, January 01, 2007
Monday January 1, 2007
Happy New Year thread.
Saw an adult Bald Eagle close up along Goose Creek in VA yesterday. We figure there are two nests along a 20 mile strtech of the Creek.
Update--One wet eagle at Blackwater
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas
I see that the guys have some work to do with the cam. Let's leave it today and enjoy the holiday.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Eagle at the Osprey Nest
Everybody talks about the eagle in the osprey nest at Blackwater NWR, thought I'd take a look. You're right--there it is!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Monday 18 December
New thread and back in business. The live cam is also working.
Thanks for your patience.
Thanks for your patience.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Friday Update
I checked with the folks this AM and they told me they were headed out to work on our problems. I just got back in the office and see that the cam is still not up to par. I'm investigating further...
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Update
The cam is now live, but they are still working on the static problem. This all has to do with the microwave link.
On a brighter note, the live cam is now online full time. Once we get the static fixed we'll be happy.
On a brighter note, the live cam is now online full time. Once we get the static fixed we'll be happy.
Thursday 14 December
Tech update: Sorry for the continued glitches. The problem is in our production building control room. We're meeting with folks here at 2:00 to get to the bottom of this.
Also, it looks like we will be activating the live feed in short order, not in January as we said earlier.
hang in there. it's so warm here today, and the forecast is for continued 60 degree days--our eagles are probably out soaring in the warm air anyways.
Also, it looks like we will be activating the live feed in short order, not in January as we said earlier.
hang in there. it's so warm here today, and the forecast is for continued 60 degree days--our eagles are probably out soaring in the warm air anyways.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Wednesday December 13
Feed is down in our Production building. They are working to fix, should be up soon.
New thread.
New thread.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Friday, December 08, 2006
Friday Update
Here's an update on the cams. Good news and less than good news.
First the good--the transition work is complete and the still cam is online.
now the less than good--the video feed was on yesterday. That was only a test. As I mentioned earlier, the video feed will start full time after the first of the year. Sorry. I got pretty excited too when the cam was up yesterday.
thanks for your continued comments of support. We really appreciate it.
Friday 8 December
A little snow last night.
On the live link, click here. This will give you the realplayer link. Once it's downloaded on your desktop, doubleclick on it and that will open the live feed link. If any of this info changes I'll get it out to you folks ASAP.
As I write this at 8:48 am, the feed is down.
On the live link, click here. This will give you the realplayer link. Once it's downloaded on your desktop, doubleclick on it and that will open the live feed link. If any of this info changes I'll get it out to you folks ASAP.
As I write this at 8:48 am, the feed is down.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Afternoon pic
Update--
The locked up still cam shot is being dealt with in Denver!
Also, the live feed is up. Access the realplayer file through the link here on this blog. The link will be put up on the eaglecam webpage soon.
Thursday December 7
New thread.
Hang in there. The cam will come back on. They are working on the transfer to Wheeling.
Hang in there. The cam will come back on. They are working on the transfer to Wheeling.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
We're Up and Running
update: We still have some cleanup work to do on webpage text, and on our connections. The site is currently running through Denver. We will make the transition to Wheeling tomorrow.
None of us can believe that an eagle was in the nest when we finally went live.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Up and running, almost
By now you've probably seen the new web page for the cam. Note-- to actually get to the cam it's one more click as we are hosting the cam offiste to preserve our bandwidth.
Picture still is not quite right, but the guys are working on it.
Thanks to our contracting and technical folks for making this happen so quick (by our standards here at least).
more soon.
Picture still is not quite right, but the guys are working on it.
Thanks to our contracting and technical folks for making this happen so quick (by our standards here at least).
more soon.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
Friday
New thread.
Saw an adult bald eagle flying low over the Shenandoah River near Berryville, VA this am.
Saw an adult bald eagle flying low over the Shenandoah River near Berryville, VA this am.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Molting
Here's some info from Bent's on Bald Eagle plumage and molting:
Plumages.--When first hatched the downy young eaglet is completely covered with long, thick, silky down, longest on the head; it is "smoke gray" on the back, paler gray on the head and under parts, and nearly white on the throat. When the young bird is about three weeks old this light gray or whitish down is pushed out and replaced by short, woolly, thick down of a dark, sooty-gray color, "hair brown" to "drab." The plumage begins to appear on the body and wings, scattered brownish-black feathers showing on the scapulars, back, and sides of the breast, when about five or six weeks old; at this age the wing quills are breaking their sheaths. At the age of seven or eight weeks the eaglet is fairly well feathered, with only a little down showing between the feather tracks, and the flight feathers are fully half grown.
In fresh juvenal plumage the young eagle is uniformly dark colored "bone brown" to "clove brown" above and below; the flight feathers are nearly black, but there is usually a slight sprinkling of grayish white in the tail. This plumage is worn throughout the first year without much change, except by wear and fading, the under parts fading to "hair brown."
After the first annual molt, the next summer, the plumage becomes paler and much mixed with white in very variable amounts. Individual feathers on the back, scapulars, and breast are more or less extensively white, those of the breast and belly being largely white in some specimens. I am not sure whether this is a second or third year plumage, or both; if the latter, the third year is whiter than the second. The tail is more extensively mottled with white than in the first year, and the feathers of the crown and occiput are broadly tipped with pale buff. After the next annual molt the plumage of the body becomes darker, much like that of the adult, but lightly tipped with white below and mottled with white on the rump and upper tail coverts; the latter and the tail are now quite extensively white; the head is mixed with white above, about half white and half brown, or nearly clear, dirty white below. This is probably the third year plumage. At the next annual molt, early in the fourth year, the bird assumes a plumage that is practically adult, with a pure-white head and tail; but usually remaining signs of immaturity are seen, such as a few brown feathers in the head and some dusky mottling near the tip of the tail.
The length of time required to assume the fully adult plumage does not seem to have been positively determined, and it may take longer than I have estimated. Adults and immature birds have one complete annual molt, which is very gradual, and prolonged through spring, summer, and fall. The flight feathers are molted mainly during July, August, and September.
Plumages.--When first hatched the downy young eaglet is completely covered with long, thick, silky down, longest on the head; it is "smoke gray" on the back, paler gray on the head and under parts, and nearly white on the throat. When the young bird is about three weeks old this light gray or whitish down is pushed out and replaced by short, woolly, thick down of a dark, sooty-gray color, "hair brown" to "drab." The plumage begins to appear on the body and wings, scattered brownish-black feathers showing on the scapulars, back, and sides of the breast, when about five or six weeks old; at this age the wing quills are breaking their sheaths. At the age of seven or eight weeks the eaglet is fairly well feathered, with only a little down showing between the feather tracks, and the flight feathers are fully half grown.
In fresh juvenal plumage the young eagle is uniformly dark colored "bone brown" to "clove brown" above and below; the flight feathers are nearly black, but there is usually a slight sprinkling of grayish white in the tail. This plumage is worn throughout the first year without much change, except by wear and fading, the under parts fading to "hair brown."
After the first annual molt, the next summer, the plumage becomes paler and much mixed with white in very variable amounts. Individual feathers on the back, scapulars, and breast are more or less extensively white, those of the breast and belly being largely white in some specimens. I am not sure whether this is a second or third year plumage, or both; if the latter, the third year is whiter than the second. The tail is more extensively mottled with white than in the first year, and the feathers of the crown and occiput are broadly tipped with pale buff. After the next annual molt the plumage of the body becomes darker, much like that of the adult, but lightly tipped with white below and mottled with white on the rump and upper tail coverts; the latter and the tail are now quite extensively white; the head is mixed with white above, about half white and half brown, or nearly clear, dirty white below. This is probably the third year plumage. At the next annual molt, early in the fourth year, the bird assumes a plumage that is practically adult, with a pure-white head and tail; but usually remaining signs of immaturity are seen, such as a few brown feathers in the head and some dusky mottling near the tip of the tail.
The length of time required to assume the fully adult plumage does not seem to have been positively determined, and it may take longer than I have estimated. Adults and immature birds have one complete annual molt, which is very gradual, and prolonged through spring, summer, and fall. The flight feathers are molted mainly during July, August, and September.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Wednesday November 22
Wednesday thread. Sorry about blogger yesterday, it was all bloggered up for me in the AM.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Thursday Nov. 16
Here's some news you folks have been waiting for:
We met yesterday on getting the cam going.
We are going to outsource the web access this year to allow the still cam a much better refresh rate than the 30 seconds that our network folks afforded us last year. I've mentioned to a few folks that we face significant hurdles regarding network security and bandwidth limitations, and we believe this approach gets us past these issues. We are working through the contracting now, and have targeted Dec. 6th as the start date. We will strive to hit that target.
We will also experiment with a wide shot camera along with the existing cam. We recently got a brand new microwave receiver which should help with cam reliability.
The live video will start on or around February 1, and will stay on through the end of July.
We are also looking now at technology for next season that will improve the cam, and add audio. Based on the behavior of these eagles, we figure we only have a couple of weeks window in August to make the improvements.
The cam has been on here for a few weeks now, and we have watched the eagles slowly preparing the nest with new sticks.
I know that this has been a long haitus, but hang in there and we'll be up soon.
We met yesterday on getting the cam going.
We are going to outsource the web access this year to allow the still cam a much better refresh rate than the 30 seconds that our network folks afforded us last year. I've mentioned to a few folks that we face significant hurdles regarding network security and bandwidth limitations, and we believe this approach gets us past these issues. We are working through the contracting now, and have targeted Dec. 6th as the start date. We will strive to hit that target.
We will also experiment with a wide shot camera along with the existing cam. We recently got a brand new microwave receiver which should help with cam reliability.
The live video will start on or around February 1, and will stay on through the end of July.
We are also looking now at technology for next season that will improve the cam, and add audio. Based on the behavior of these eagles, we figure we only have a couple of weeks window in August to make the improvements.
The cam has been on here for a few weeks now, and we have watched the eagles slowly preparing the nest with new sticks.
I know that this has been a long haitus, but hang in there and we'll be up soon.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
Monday 13 November
New thread. Sorry for the slowdown in new threads. Back from CT, and had to deal with a breakdown saturday on the highway more than 100 miles from home. Loads of fun :>).
Friday, November 10, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Wednesday November 8
New Thread.
Had a visit from Mission Wolf today, with their ambassador wolf, Maggie.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Sunday 5 Nov
Still at NCTC this am for the film festival. Both eagles spent the night in the nest last night. The guard could see them in the moonlight.
fresh thread.
fresh thread.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Friday November 3
New thread.
Remember the American Conservation Film Festival runs tomorrow and sunday at NCTC. Lots of great films to see.
Remember the American Conservation Film Festival runs tomorrow and sunday at NCTC. Lots of great films to see.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
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9/29 Bella and Scout
1128 am Scout lands in the nest. Scout notices the piece of fish in the nest lol. Love how he eyes the fish up then just as he is about to t...
