Author: D Saltis

Astrid and Ares were active overnight. Their first dance took place at 115 AM and then Astrid stayed in the box for most of the night.

The second overnight dance took place at 440 AM – early birds!

Ares brings Astrid an early morning food tribute

There were several matings – off camera – this morning but this one took place at the box.

No time for napping today Ares – Astrid is focused on mating.

Astrid likes to keep things interesting – mating on the veranda!

Even with all the seriousness of matings today, Ares still has a sense of humor. He teases Astrid and makes her chase him across the perch to get her food gift. She is not amused!!

With his usual dramatic flair Ares screeches off into the night…

Astrid and Ares started their morning a little later than usual but they made up for lost time with plenty of activity – visits to the box and matings, were part of the fun.

https://youtu.be/ft_QNOvs8PA

Early in the day there were a few aborted mating attempts but by the end of the morning Astrid and Ares were back in sync with each other.

https://youtu.be/TDdaXs_fQNo

It seems the morning activities tired Astrid a bit. She took a nap on the west veranda – just like the kids do!

https://youtu.be/al-xTT_C7hM

I guess her nap revitalized her – Astrid was soon asking to mate with Ares and he obliged!

https://youtu.be/TRsIdSBIkVM

Of course Ares likes to bring Astrid a gift after mating. This time he ate most of the prey before he brought her his offering.

https://youtu.be/zKZpC40va0k

Ares stayed on guard at the nest box late today. Maybe he didn’t want to fly off because he was so stuffed from his earlier meal. What a huge crop!!

https://youtu.be/ltmNHZLZc-0

Friday morning visit to the box, matings and food tribute

https://youtu.be/CddOi3WzJJ8

Friday

Friday afternoon Dance

https://youtu.be/zc_bBO-kWo4

Saturday morning dance

https://youtu.be/51f9oXxpRjc

Ares brings Astrid a Sunday morning food tribute

https://youtu.be/R3zwNyU4Ie8

Astrid and Ares make a very fast visit to the box

https://youtu.be/rdaTKlNLbXU

Ares brings Astrid another food tribute but he has trouble actually letting go of his prize…

https://youtu.be/x-r2j59LEW8

Astrid and Ares mate on the steeple

https://youtu.be/4cNThfUd-gE

Astrid and Ares convene at the box for a nice long dance

https://youtu.be/qKatXZ64bSU

Astrid and Ares were fairly quiet today. They usually keep a lower profile during storms. At one point Ares flew up near Astrid on the state office building with food in his talons. He chirped at her, dangled the prize in his beak and then flew over to the nest box.  

https://youtu.be/KWbIryosyAU

Since it was a fairly inactive day for videos, we thought you might enjoy some still shots from this month.

Astrid and Ares started the day with an early mating and food tribute

https://youtu.be/dWSMu3Ov-7c

Ares brings Astrid a midday food tribute.

https://youtu.be/tqtf0X43UV8

Mid Afternoon mating on west veranda

https://youtu.be/aCEiYAeXV3Q

Ares brings Astrid a food tribute late in the afternoon. After this the two may have dealt with an intruder.

https://youtu.be/m5vQpXFOLV4