Pepe & Muhlady • Bald Eagles
Season 1
September–December 2022
Completed • Pearl & TicoThe season that started it all
From Hurricane Ian to Pearl & Tico.
SuperBeaks’ first documented season followed Pepe and Muhlady through a historic hurricane, nest repairs, courtship, two eggs, and the unforgettable arrival of Pearl and Tico.
Season chronology
The Season 1 timeline
The eagles return
Pepe and Muhlady returned and immediately began extensive “nestorations,” adding more than a foot of material while Hurricane Ian approached Central Florida.
Hurricane Ian
The nest sat in the storm’s path. SuperBeaks continued recording locally through power and internet outages. The eagles, nest, and camera equipment survived, and Pepe and Muhlady soon began rebuilding.
Recovery and courtship
Utility power returned, floodwaters slowly receded, and courtship intensified. Multiple mating events suggested that eggs could arrive within days.
The first egg
At approximately 3:10 PM EST, Muhlady turned and checked beneath her before beginning continuous incubation—the earliest bald eagle egg reported in Florida that season. Infrared lighting was temporarily limited after the team observed insects disturbing her at night.
Egg number two
At 12:39 PM EST, Muhlady laid her second egg right on schedule. Pepe remained perched in the background, seemingly overseeing the event, and both parents began sharing incubation duties.
Faint chirps in the night
At approximately 1:03 AM, faint baby-bird chirps could be heard on a quiet, moonlit night—the first indication that hatching might be underway.
Pearl hatches
At approximately 10 PM EST, Pearl hatched and officially became the newest member of the SuperBeaks family.
Watch the story
Season 1 video highlights
Season gallery
Pepe, Muhlady & the family
