The state of Minnesota is known for its long harsh winters.
Huge snowfalls and below-freezing temperatures are the norm during the winter months.
Two of its residents, however, are in an even more precarious situation than most.
A mated pair of bald eagles were caught unaware before the storm started and had to do everything in their power to keep their 2 eggs nice and warm.
The pair were caught on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) EagleCam as they did their best to protect their eggs.
One of the birds could be spotted by just the top of its head poking out from the mountain of snow that had accumulated around it.
As soon as they realized that the snowfall was coming to an end, this bird popped out of its warm and cozy nest to start clearing the way for its mate to come in.
Everyone who lives in an area where there is heavy snowfall knows the pain that is shoveling, and it was no different for these birds.
Lifting its way out of the mountain, the bird shook the snow off its back and began to clear a little area around the entrance to the nest.
As it was doing that, its mate, who had been hiding out from the storm in another location, flew back home and took its place as the egg warmer.
The pair greeted each other briefly and then swapped positions.
The original bird left the nest to go find some food for itself, and the other bird settled into warming duty.
While some people would surely be concerned about the welfare of the eggs in such a cold and snowy time, the DNR assured viewers that the eggs were perfectly safe.
They were insulated not just by the soft down and feathers of the nest their parents had created, but also by the snow itself.
“The snow will provide insulation for the eggs as they incubate.” one official said.
“The eggs are now nestled further down in the soft fur, feathers, leaves, and grasses tucked in around them.”
The parents had had a sense that a storm was coming and so, in the days leading up to the big snowfall, they collects more materials to line their nest with.
Though the exact date of the laying of the first egg is unknown, eagle eggs usually incubate for around 35 days so there should soon be some hungry chicks chirping away.
Eagles are just one of the many bird species that mate for life, meaning that these two dedicated parents may have a few of their offspring flying around already.
They certainly seem like good parents, neither one letting the eggs feel the cold winters air for more than a few seconds before plopping down in the others place.
Bald eagles are a very special and majestic breed and seeing these two new young ones will be a welcome site in our skies.
Watch the eagles clearing up after the snowstorm in the video linked below. You can also watch the live nest footage here.
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