Southwest Florida Eagle Cam eagles M15 and F23 produce two more eggs

Nov 17, 2025 By CHUCK BALLARO 3 min read

It may have been chilly for most of last week, but that didn’t stop Southwest Florida’s most famous couple from making possible additions to their family.

M15 and F23 have produced two more eggs. Now we wait about five weeks before hopefully seeing the eaglets hatch, grow up under the nurturing eyes of their parents and finally fledge the nest early in the spring.

F23 has continued her recent habit of laying eggs earlier than Harriet had in the past. F23 laid her first egg a little after 3 p.m. on Wednesday despite the slightly frigid temperatures.

Three days later, like clockwork, she delivered her second egg at about 7:23 p.m. Viewers of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam were able to see the telltale signs.

The event has always received great attention nationally, and this year was no exception. In fact, the Today Show featured the nest on Friday after the first egg was laid. Carson Daly said he wanted to name the egg Saquon, after Philadelphia Eagles’ running back Saquon Barkley.

Sorry, Carson, but it doesn’t work that way. The eaglets will be named E26 and E27 if and when hatched.

Now comes the waiting and hoping that this time, M15 and F23 are finally able to produce two eaglets who fledge the nest. M15 and F23 are short for Male 2015 and Female 2023.

The incubation period lasts about 37 days on average, including the time it takes for the eaglet to break out of the shell, which takes about two days. During this time, both eagles will take turns sitting on the eggs, keeping them warm.

They will roll the eggs regularly to ensure the embryo develops properly and distributes the warmth evenly and prevents the delicate embryonic blood vessels from sticking to the shell which could be fatal.

At this rate, the newest eaglets should hatch around Dec. 19 and 22, respectively, just in time for Christmas.

The last few years have been a challenge for the eagles. In winter of 2023, one of the eggs cracked shortly before hatching, with the eaglet inside unable to survive. The other eaglet was raised successfully.

Last year, the eaglets lasted about six weeks before both passed away from the avian flu. It is believed the adult eagles also contracted the flu and were sick for some time, but both recovered.

In the spring of 2023, M15 was left to raise two eaglets alone after Harriet disappeared that February. Despite the odds, he was successful.

The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam is now in its 14th season, and has captured three different bald eagle pairs in the wild for all the triumphs and tribulations of raising their young.

This is the third season as a mated pair for M15 and F23.

Viewers can watch and track the action at the nest on the Pritchett property off Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers on the official Southwest Florida Eagle Cam website; the official Facebook page, Instagram account and YouTube channel.

To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com