That's exactly what they probably think, even though M was incubating when the truck pulled into the pasture and the bucket was raised. He didn't fly off the nest until they were right there almost eye to eye with him. Then he circled around them a few times.It's a pity that one can't tell the parent eagles that's all good. That the eaglets will be back in a week or so. (We hope)
They must think instinctively they lost them to a predator, despite all the watchfulness.
2 weeks seems forever to be gone so soon.