Friends of Blackwater, the volunteer group supporting Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on the Eastern Shore, are atwitter over the imminent hatching of as many as three baby bald eagles there. 

You can join their vigil, via the group's Eagle Cam, which gives onlookers a bird's eye view of the nest.  The group has been watching the nest for a bit, and earlier recorded three eggs in it. They're expecting the first hatch any time now, though no obvious cracking has been spotted yet.  It'll take the chicks up to 24 hours to work their way out of the shell, so you can check in and out.  The cam gives new snapshots every 15 seconds.

The Friends have cameras tracking eagles and ospreys at the sprawling refuge, and they've got a neat blog explaining what's been happening and what to expect.  There's also video, which you can catch on YouTube.   Watch the male eagle bringing food to the female as she sits on the eggs, and other action around the refuge.

For those who can't get enough of our national bird, the refuge is having an Eagle Festival March 12.  Check it out here.

(Photos courtesy Friends of Blackwater)