Decorah eagles

[Virginia]

I just looked and one was standing on the end of the nest and spread his/her wings like they were going to fly. I thought no, no not quite yet. I don't know how Mom and Dad could get one back in their nest if they were on the ground.

[agate]

Somehow they got that raccoon into the nest. Maybe they could get an eaglet back up there but I can see why those eaglets are being very careful and not just taking off like fools.

[Virginia]

Agate, thats what I am worried about...like teenagers sometimes act, they might just decide to take off like fools.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

This afternoon, one of the eaglets (the largest or maybe the oldest) was on the large branch outside of the nest. S/he perched there for awhile, while the other one sat in the nest. The one on the branch just walked back toward the nest, opened her/his wings and flew a short distance to the nest. It was sort of a hop with wings spread.

In all of the years of watching the Decorah eagles, I don't ever recall one falling out of the nest at this age. One year, a baby eaglet fell out, and a Raptor Resource person rescued it and returned it to the nest.

I didn't see either of the parents, but they are still close by. Obviously, they are bringing the eaglets food. Fortunately, the focus was blurred a bit to spare me seeing anything other than lots of grey fur.

They will keep practicing, and wingersizing, and gradually they will venture out a little more. They are following the pattern of their older brothers and sisters.

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hug Are Germ-Free!

THANKS!

[Virginia]

Oh gosh! They are getting ready to leave home. One was out on a limb when I first looked when h/s came back into the nest she kind of spread her wings and flew a few feet. Don't they realize they will never have it so good again. Mom and Dad will not be around all the time if they take off. I hope they hang around awhile longer. I worry about this stage.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

They won't leave until they are ready, and Mom and Dad are nearby watching them closely. They can't leave until they can hunt for their food. Everything they do is instinctual.

I just checked on them, and both of them are on the large branch, standing proud, scoping out the surroundings. One eaglet looks much bigger than the other. It might have been the camera angle, but it appeared to be a significant difference.

They may be close to fledging as they are showing more independence. I will miss them, when they leave.

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[Virginia]

I just watched for about 15 minutes and they are still on that big limb. Rose I don't think you are wrong about the difference in their sizes. I had noticed it even while they were in the nest. Hope they don't try to start their first flight at night.

[agate]

According to the Website they don't just fly away one fine day. They keep coming back to the nest until they're in better control of the food situation as well as the flying they have to master. But once they're gone, I understand they never come back to remember their mom and dad. No Mother's Day or Father's Day for them, and mom and dad move on to have more eaglets.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Agate ~

Thanks for posting that information.

If I recall correctly, the eaglets leave the nest to find their own territory, where they will mate and produce more eaglets. I think it also has something to do with food supply. If they all nested in the same location, there would be competition for food.

Eagles mate for life. If one of them dies or doesn't return to the nest, the other one will find another mate, and usually occupy the same nest.

Here's some more information about eagles:


Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

They were both sitting on the large branch today, and the bigger eaglet wanted to go back to the nest, but his/her sibling was blocking the access. After a lot of fretting and walking back and forth, opening and closing wings, the bigger eaglet flew over his/her sibling and landed on the nest.

I was also fortunate to witness a parent bringing in lunch for the eaglets. The camera panned out to capture the parent's flight carrying the meal in his/her beak. The eaglets attacked whatever it was like teenagers attack a pizza.

When I checked in later, the camera was on the parent perched on an adjacent tree keeping an eye out for intruders, protecting her/his offspring.

Jim and I were always impressed with Decorah Eagle parents. They are incredibly competent and vigilant.

It is a blessing to watch nature on the internet. We learn so much.

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[Virginia]

It is 12midnight where I am and they are in the nest, but wide awake. I do think they are going through the teenage stage.

[Virginia]

What appears to be the smaller of the two parents was in a very shallow pond or small river taking a break from the kids. The kids were in the nest eating what looked like roadkill.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

The kids were in the nest eating what looked like roadkill.

Thank you for the chuckle!

To me everything they eat looks like roadkill, especially after they've all torn into the poor critter.

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[agate]

Yes, at mealtime they don't shillyshally around with proposing toasts or waiting until the host starts to eat or any of those refinements.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

I saw your comment about one of the eaglets leaving the nest in the Chit Chat thread. You are correct!

Here's a forum on the Raptor Resource site, with photos and conversation about the fledging!:

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

The oldest eaglet (now fledgling) DN13 fledged this morning but came back to the next at feeding time.

The youngest eaglet, DN14, is gearing up to fledge. They were born two days apart.

The parents are referred to as DNM (for Male) and DNF (for female). As you can see reading the posts, these are die-hard Decorah Eagle fans, so they can tell the difference between the male and female parents.

This is exciting! Although we hate to see them go, leaving the nest is an accomplishment and means that they are strong enough to go on to make their own families in a few years. Their parents were successful once again!

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[Virginia]

I had grown quite attached. The kids are leaving home.