The arrival of our couple, virtually together, was first snapped @ 19:12
©SANDRA !!!
©RICHARD G B
©SHEENA
=====================================================
Yikes !!! I thought I must have missed it but it's all there waiting for attention :)))
Thank you, everyone, for the super captures and info :)
I can't believe they arrived together - but they did! ;-D
Three matings altogether, only the first successful, IMHO. They were on the nest nearly 13 minutes, this is cut down to 5 but no significant activity missing - you know how they like to stand and (males) mantle and (females) look a bit nonplussed ;)
UNCUT VERSION:
The first was the best ;)
He sat here for ages after his second nestcupping:
.
IMAGICAT
Regarding the comments about Louis: this is the third year they have been together, he has provided very well in 2017 & 2018 and also I would say this year as well. Aila does not look underfed to me (but what do I know!). When Aila seriously grabs at a fish Louis lets it go, when Aila is half hearted he doesn't. Aila doesn't seem bothered when Louis takes a fish back, in the last twenty minutes she almost handed one back to him. If she were underfed why would she a) return to the nest with a fish & b) give it up so easily. Did Aila really go fishing for herself? I recall a number of instances in 2017 when Louis was providing so much fish that the three of them (including the insatiable Lachie!) couldn't eat it all. So in summary (as the lawyer acting for Louis) I am advising that any future comparison with the scoundrel George will result in Louis having no choice but to instigate legal action. Yours, messrs Sue, Grabbit & Run.
Mmmmm. I sit corrected Ian S
© Scottish Wildlife Trust - Loch of the Lowes
Ian S said:So in summary (as the lawyer acting for Louis) I am advising that any future comparison with the scoundrel George will result in Louis having no choice but to instigate legal action
Love it Ian. I'll go with your plea for Louis but don't start acting for George or you'll lose my vote
Photographic Evidence of fish this morning 7.15ish (rewind)
You are a stalwart and convincing advocate for Louis, IAN !!!
And you might all like to know that Aila got a small, whole fish before 6 o'clock this morning, if I'm not mistaken and I'm doing a video, of course ;) They were ever so early on the nest, Aila first!
Here they are now: