Decorah Female Bald Eagle

Ok, this is not a seed picker or peanut thief. But, she's in the family and pretty impressive, so I have to include these eagles from Decoarah, Iowa in my blog. I hope you don't mind!

What a thrill it was to drive to Decorah and see this eagle live after watching her on the nest cam for 2 months.

Decorah Eagles Nest

The adult female Bald Eagle contemplates leaving the nest. After a few seconds she did, returning with a trout from the fish hatchery.

Lessons in Life

This poor juvenile Bald Eagle is taking a beating from two Red-winged Blackbirds. The two blackbirds were on a branch behind the eagle. Here the two attacked the eagle at the same time. The one Blackbird is out of sight by they have just pummeled the juvenile eagle, hitting her in the back and knocking her off balance. The blackbirds were relentless. Each time the birds would attack she would cry. It was hard to watch. You had to feel sorry for the eagle. The blackbirds would attack her head and she would cower and cry.

The poor dear was learning a lesson in her new life that raptors are not well liked by other birds. She stayed on that limb for about an hour and a half taking the beating on and off the whole time.

Juvenile Eagle Decorah Iowa

One of the juvenile Decorah Bald Eagles leaves the nest scene for a branch with a view. The eagle was continually harassed by a Baltimore Oriole and a Grackle. They didn't bother him/her much. Duck when you have to but otherwise ignore them!

I really like this particular pose. The bird is very much at attention. It's fully focused on something.

Nest Buddies

Juvenile Bald Eagles Decorah, Iowa. At the Fish Hatchery.

It's been fun watching these Decorah, Iowa juvenile Bald Eagles mature. There are three juveniles. Two of them are best buddies. I understand they are the last two to hatch. The first eaglet that hatched is very independent. These two spend a lot of time together in the nesting tree, on top of the barn or at the fish hatchery. Here, they are looking over the fish hatchery.

Nest Buddies

Juvenile Bald Eagles Decorah, Iowa. At the Fish Hatchery.

It's been fun watching these Decorah, Iowa juvenile Bald Eagles mature. There are three juveniles. Two of them are best buddies. I understand they are the last two to hatch. The first eaglet that hatched is very independent. These two spend a lot of time together in the nesting tree, on top of the barn or at the fish hatchery. Here, they are looking over the fish hatchery.

Nest Buddies

Juvenile Bald Eagles Decorah, Iowa. At the Fish Hatchery.

It's been fun watching these Decorah, Iowa juvenile Bald Eagles mature. There are three juveniles. Two of them are best buddies. I understand they are the last two to hatch. The first eaglet that hatched is very independent. These two spend a lot of time together in the nesting tree, on top of the barn or at the fish hatchery. Here, they are looking over the fish hatchery.

Posing Decorah Eagle

After eating the trout this juvenile Bald Eagle strikes a nice pose. The hazy sun is lighting the eagle nicely.  As it turned out it was very warm and humid. Decorah, Iowa Fish Hatchery.

Can I Help You Finish That?

Always looking for more. Juvenile Bald Eagles eating trout. Decorah, Iowa.

The eagle on the left finished its trout then went over to see her if her nest buddy needed any help finishing hers.

Mornings First Light

After watching this young eagle since hatching on the webcam, she finally gets to take a look at me!

The mornings first rays of rich sunlight illuminate the juvenile Bald Eagle that's keeping a keen eye on me. Decorah, Iowa.

Decorah Iowa Bald Eagle

This is believed to be E1. The first Decorah Iowa eagle to hatch. She's sitting on a shed roof at the Decorah Fish Hatchery. What a privilege to have been there when she decided to come down to the hatchery for a visit.

A Rooftop Call

Talking to his nest mates over in the nest tree on a hazy humid July morning. Decorah, Iowa Bald Eagles.

Decorah Iowa Bald Eagle People Watching

Once the juvenile got tired of sitting on the fish hatchery sign, she flew across the trout ponds to the roof of a little shed on the far side of the hatchery. There she sat and preened and people watched. Nearly a dozen people approached her to within 20 feet. The peak of the roof is only 8 feet from the ground. She was very tolerant of the movement of people so close to her. Amazing! Tammy and I picked the right day to visit the Decorah Eagles.

It's time to soar....

The Decorah female eagle takes flight over the Decorah Fish Hatchery. We thought she was perhaps going to dive for a trout.....but she didn't. What a beautiful bird!

This females nest is in the backyards of two very fortunate families in Decorah, Iowa.

Decorah Female Bald Eagle

What a thrill it was to drive to Decorah and see this eagle live after watching her on the nest cam for 2 months.

A New Morning at the Fish Hatchery

It's sunrise on July 9, 2011 and not only is the sun announcing a new day, and so are these Bald Eagles.  These are two of the juvenile Bald Eagles of Decorah, Iowa fame. After spending the night in the nest tree, it's time to get out and explore the new world!

I got up at 2:30am to arrive to Decorah to arrive at sunrise and I'm glad I did. This is my fourth visit to see the eagles. What an experience. The best things in life are free. These birds have become a hobby to me. I will really miss them when they mature and move on. It seems I know them as pets. I would have never guessed I'd ever have a opportunity to do something like this. What a blessing!