The Decorah Eagles are back!

[boomer girl]

They are huge now! I try to check on them every other day but when I forget to I am always amazed at how fast they are growing. They are awesome birds! The other day my daughter spotted the Bald Eagle flying over the area of the lake I always saw them at last year so I think they must have more babies down there again. As soon as we get there me and my hubby are going to take our canoe out to try to spot them. I think we know where there nest is at on the lake but it could be a Ospreys nest which still would be neat to see if they have babies. The Eagles are the ones I love but they do a great job at hiding out.

[Pipers Mom]

I have been watching this trio for some time now and two them have fledged already. These kids sure did grow up quickly. Only one more to go..

[boomer girl]

I am sad but happy that they are growing up and leaving the nest. I looked just now and one of the babies is back on the limb near the nest so hopefully they will keep coming back so we can see them until they turn off the camera. I took a screen shot of one of the babies who fledged sitting on the tree with the dad. Even at such a young age the baby looks so majestic and proud to be sitting on the branch after flying around. The one last baby is still in the nest and hopefully I can see it finally takes its first step onto the big bird branch.

[DesertDweller]

That is such a cool website. I loved watching those babies grow. Oh, and I'd just like to share something silly, if it's okay. Gabby took a bath the other day and she reminded me of the eagles, so I took this photo of my Indian Ringneck Eagle, LOL:

[Pipers Mom]

Pat, Gabby looks like an eagle after her bath.. LOL!!

I was watching the babies yesterday right before I left work. All three were there!! Mom brought a fish and Dad brought a squirrel. After they ate the squirrel and the fish, the oldest of the chicks flew away, I think it was D12. I checked on the last one this morning and he is still hanging around perched on the camera squealing. I think it's D14 playing beak-a-boo with the camera.

[boomer girl]

Gabby does have the look of a real eagle Pat! After I took the screen shot of the Eagles on the limb the baby took off flying too and I am so happy they return to the nest area after they do some flying around. I just love seeing them flying around and I know I am going to miss them lots when they turn off the camera.

[DesertDweller]

I saw that squirrel being eaten. That baby sure enjoyed it. Can't be squeamish about what's natural, but still... I'm glad I'm not an eagle. Amazing that we have the chance to watch those babies grow up.

[Pipers Mom]

RRP is turning the camera off tomorrow at 8 P.M. Central Time. I did notice that D14 has a transmitter on his back. I congratulate both Mom and Dad for raising 3 beautiful eaglets. I'm sure going to miss them. It makes me happy that they are finally venturing on their own, but sad to see them leave the nest. D14 was my personal favorite.

[maxollie]

Wow!! Gabby the "blue eagle"!! She sure does look like an eagle in that picture!!

[boomer girl]

People on the chat were hoping they were going to put the transmitter on D14 and since he is my favorite too I am happy it was him but also sad for him because to me it seems it just has to bother him to wear it. I also wonder if it will make it harder for him to find a mate when the times comes? I am going to take a look and see if I can see what it looks like because I never seen what they looked like. I am happy all three babies are happy and healthy and will miss them once the camera is shut off.

[Pipers Mom]

My hubby is already in Northern Michigan getting ready for the 4th of July. John and his brother were on the lake today fishing near the lagoon and they seen a family of bald eagles. Mom, Dad and juvies. I'm hoping when I head up North on Tuesday that I will actually see a bald eagle for the first time in the wild. Would really love to see one on Independence Day.

Here is D14's transmitter. I found it on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQMHK97oizY

[boomer girl]

I looked at the transmitter video yesterday. I still feel bad he has to wear it and when I showed the video to my husband he said it was a good thing which really surprised me he would say that but he said it least they can study the eagles and know where they go and other things about them. Guess he is right but I still feel bad for D14.

I think we have been seeing Bald Eagles at the lake down the road from our house. We walk out to the Dam in the evenings to watch the sun go down and bird watch and it seems like each night right before it gets dark we see a big black bird with huge wings flying over the Dam. The first time I spotted it the bird was in a big pine tree and right when I pointed it out to John he flew away the opposite direction. The second time John spotted it and it flew right over us but since it was almost dark we could faintly make out a white tail and body. It is massive!! Last night we went out there and I think we saw a smaller one but again I could faintly see white on its rear end. It may have been a Osprey last night because it was over the lake but we are not sure. I know there is a nest near there but so far they have been hiding from us in the day time. If you see a Bald Eagle this weekend you will be so excited. I get goose bumps each and every time I see one because they are just so awesome to see in the wild flying free. I hope you finally get to see your first one and have fun at the lake.

[Pipers Mom]

Some very sad news

July 3, 2012
We are very sorry to announce that D12 is dead. D12 was found electrocuted at the base of a power pole on a Sunday morning. We notified the power company, who modified the top of that pole on Sunday and several other poles in the area on Monday. As of this morning, they are continuing to identify and modify poles to make them raptor safe.

[boomer girl]

I have horrible news about our loved D14, he was found dead yesterday He was electrocuted just like his brother D12 from landing on a power pole in Iowa. I am so sad to think that our Mom and Dad Eagle has now lost two of there babies this year and hope and pray that next years babies will live long good lives. I read this on Raptor Resource Project facebook page and they put up a story about a month ago saying they formed a group since the death of D12 to raise money and build safe perches to put on the older power poles in Iowa because way too many Eagles are dying from landing on them and getting electrocuted. Sadly they didnt get them up fast enough to save our little D14.

Fly free D14, you were loved by many people all around the world...

[Pipers Mom]

This literally brings a tear to my eye. So many people admired these eagles and it's sad that two of them got electrocuted. It's amazing on how many people became so attached to the eaglets and it just saddens me that these raptors didn't live a full life.

I heard that Mom and Dad are constructing another nest in Decorah and it's possible they may not have any video for the 2013 season. Researchers don't know whether or not if Mom will lay her eggs in the new nest or back in the cottonwood tree. It's one of those "wait and see's"..

Fly Free D14!! You will be missed..

[boomer girl]

I too felt so bad and got tears in my eyes when I read the post on the facebook page about D14 dying. I really loved little D14 because he was the youngest so his chances of surviving were not as good as the rest of them. I find myself glued to the camera at times so it is easy for me to get way too attached to these birds. We get birds and squirrels electrocuted around here on our power poles and in the summers they have started big fires. The big electric companies are held liable and after losing lawsuits they are slowly doing things to our poles to stop this from happening.

I have been reading about them possibly building another nest out of the camera range but then on the eagle cam page it shows the Dad mostly coming to the nest so hopefully they will use the old nest so we can see next years babies grow up.

[maxollie]

I'm so sorry to read about D14!! Personally, I LOVE eagles!! To me they are the ultimate bird of the Universe!

Fly High and Free D14!! Rest in Peace!

[Pipers Mom]

Just out of curiosity, I decided to check on the Decorah Eagles and I'm so bummed out that they have chosen the new nest. They believe the first egg was laid on February 19, 2013. I'm hoping that the the utility company corrects the problems with the electrical poles and makes them ALL raptor safe. Last year, my heart sank with the sad news about D12 and D14 being electrocuted.

[boomer girl]

I am sad they are not on the old nest either but the same people who do the Decorah nest has lots of other bird cams available. I have been somewhat watching this one, http://www.farmyou.com/falcon_cams/index.html

[Birdmanca]

Thanks for the info about the eagles. Will keep checking them out as the eagles grow in size.