where it begins

Today on our noon-hour walk (dyke around Nico Wynd golf course), we caught sight of a bald eagle in one of the top branches of the tall grizzled tree that holds the nest we first noticed in spring. A few minutes later, he flew to a branch a little further down to join another eagle we hadn't seen. The branch could hardly hold the two as they snuggled close - like a couple of love birds.

When we got home, hubby googled them. Here's what he found (on a gov't of Ohio website):

"Pair bonding activity for both new and established pairs begins in the fall.Courtship behavior and nest building can occur anytime between October and early December. As winter begins and daylight hours are reduced, the bonding activities wind down. ... Beginning in early February, the male bald eagle will put on an aerial display of ritualized movements showing his mate his readiness.If receptive, the female will join him in flight. This activity is then followed by more ritual movements and gestures before actual mating occurs. As outstanding as this display is, scientists credit the activity that occurs during nest building as the most important element in cementing the pair bond." (emphasis mine)

See, Dr. Dobson was right. Good sex does begin long before the bedroom.