The lone eagle's egg in the nest now famous around the world through the Minnesota DNR's eagle cam is expected to hatch any day now.
It's been incubating for roughly 35 days as millions of people from more than 180 countries could tell you.
The DNR's Lori Naumann has a front row seat controlling the camera.
“And they get involved in the whole nesting and laying the egg and raising the young,” says Naumann. “Then they fall in love with these ugly little fuzzy heads that come up. And from year to year it has built a larger and larger following.”
A few fun facts to keep in mind:
The nest on the eagle cam is 100 feet up in the air and weighs 2,000 pounds.
Newborn chicks come out of the egg already six inches tall.
They're fast growers and voracious eaters, needing to be fed hourly by their parents, who tag team on their duties until it's time, once again, to fly.
The parents have taken turns sitting on the egg, and hunting for fish, rabbits, ducks and anything else they can find for food. Another egg that was initially laid did not survive.
Naumann controls the camera positioned on the nest. She says this year's male eagle is a new mate and seems to be doing very well.
“I think this one’s going to be a good provider because he’s already been providing a lot of food for the female, which is also his job,” explains Naumann. “And that’s part of courtship, that’s part of their mating, that’s pair-bonding. So he’s proving he’s a good mate so she’s going to keep him.”
Naumann says it became even more popular this year when a photo of the female buried up to her head in snow went viral.
The DNR's Eagle Cam is funded by the agency's non-game wildlife program. Those who wish to support it can check the box on their state tax form or by clicking here.