I have to say I did not see it coming -- the eaglet poop or the comment from a very bright youngster.

Several of us were watching the Duke Farm Eagles Cam that I was showing at the fair. When I wasn't looking, an eaglet pooped and sent it flying out of the nest (above left). The boy then commented, "That eagle just peed out of the nest."

We replayed it, and I said that it wasn't pee, etc., and felt myself getting in deeper and deeper, so to speak.

I then said that a raptor expert at Hawk Mountain said that what the eaglet did was called "throwing a mute." 

Not helpful and probably a bit TMI for youngsters and adults alike.

For those who wish to try to explain such things when asked, I found a useful explanation here. I think.