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Mystery of Harriet's 'vanishing' never solved; M15, F23 continue the legacy with one eaglet

M15 sits on one of the livestream cameras as eaglet E23 flaps its wings. One year after the disappearance of Harriet, the beloved eagle cam eagle, M15 and F23 have taken to raising their first eaglet as a new pair. The eaglet is about a month old and could be seen above the sides of the nest Tuesday morning, February 2, 2024. F23 took over the nest this summer.
Andrea Melendez
/
WGCU
M15 sits on one of the livestream cameras as eaglet E23 flaps its wings. One year after the disappearance of Harriet, the beloved eagle cam eagle, M15 and F23 have taken to raising their first eaglet as a new pair. The eaglet is about a month old and could be seen above the sides of the nest Tuesday morning, February 2, 2024. F23 took over the nest this summer.

This time last year the area was embroiled in a mystery of sorts — the vanishing of Harriet the eagle from the nest she shared with partner M15.

"WHERE'S HARRIET?" was the comment of the day at the start of February 2023. The question — never answered — left eagle nest watchers flummoxed, worried, and upset.

The Eaglet can be seen active in the nest a the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam

Southwest Florida Eagle Cam
/
WGCU

But life went on, with mate M15 taking on an expanded role and successfully helping the pair's two eaglets fledge the nest eventually.

Cut to this year and M15 is back doing his doting father routine, but this time with a new mate, F23.

The pair produced two eggs with only one hatching successfully, all continuing to be caught on the camera via the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam. The single eaglet, E23, has been growing and thriving in its solitude.

In the days leading up to the anniversary there have been many remembrances, via photos and comments. Virginia Pritchett McSpadden, co-founder of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam web site, also posted to the public Facebook page asking for comments/photos from viewers in memoriam of Harriet.

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