Hatch Watch... Decorah Eagles - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS USM

02/11/2012 08:44:11 PM · #451

Originally posted by scooter97:

Originally posted by hahn23:

Seems like the camera is slightly higher (better angle) and sharper. Might be a new camera..

They received as much money from donations and ad revenue last year as they had wanted. They probably could have bought and installed 3 or 4 3D HD cameras with the income they received last year.

What's especially nice about that is that when they had enough money, they said so! There was so much interest they could have 'raked it in' but with great class, they said "that's enough."

Meanwhile, I also have been monitoring this fascinating glimpse into the lives of eagles. Thank you to all those who post. It's all new and strange information to this fascinated visitor to their world.

DCNUTTER

Canon EOS-7D

02/11/2012 10:13:12 PM · #452

Originally posted by sfalice:

Originally posted by scooter97:

Originally posted by hahn23:

Seems like the camera is slightly higher (better angle) and sharper. Might be a new camera..

They received as much money from donations and ad revenue last year as they had wanted. They probably could have bought and installed 3 or 4 3D HD cameras with the income they received last year.

What's especially nice about that is that when they had enough money, they said so! There was so much interest they could have 'raked it in' but with great class, they said "that's enough."

Meanwhile, I also have been monitoring this fascinating glimpse into the lives of eagles. Thank you to all those who post. It's all new and strange information to this fascinated visitor to their world.

I agree Alice. It was classy and VERY refreshing to have people do the right thing. It was my first thought as well when I read that.

Dave

02/12/2012 12:42:49 AM · #453

I'm amazed by how much work they have put in on the nest. Both of them have brought in large sticks and they place them and re-place them until they are satisfied. (Although usually the female places them and the male waits until she leaves and then rearranges them). She has been stripping bark off some of the bigger sticks to add to the nest bowl, as well as arranging grasses, corn husks, and fur and feathers from various meals. There are several (I have seen three at a time) mice who inhabit the nest at night and tend to move things around. One night a large owl visited the nest. The parents didn't chase the owl off, but they have had some action-packed encounters with other eagles who seemed to be checking whether or not this nest was occupied. Since mating behaviors have been occurring for about two weeks now, it would seem the first egg should appear any day now. They are a bit ahead of schedule from last year.

Meanwhile, D1, the monitored eaglet from last year's brood is hanging out about 30 miles south of Decorah, apparently with other eagles, and seems to be following streams and rivers and staying in sparsely populated areas (except for her random visits to the Walmart in Decorah). It will be interesting to see if she stays in the area or takes off on another trek like she did last fall...

I'm amazed at how invested I've become in these creatures - how much time I spend thinking about them and how I find myself worrying about their well-being and survival. It's good to know there are so many others who care as well. Maybe it will help us all.

02/13/2012 01:28:51 PM · #454

That was a grand summary,

ancientimages. It's amazing to see these parents-to-be work on that nest. Today they are deepening the bowl, building it up on the sides and making the edges even higher. Mom's been sticking by the nest quite a bit and seems to be checking out the bowl for size.

Oh, yes. it's 28°F there right now.

02/17/2012 01:46:46 PM · #455

Update: Mom's sitting on or near the nest today, fixing up the deep nesting bowl and eating a meal
possibly brought by Dad? He's on a limb nearby (or was that last time the operater
panned that way.) Some commentators think the first egg is due by Monday.
Temp is a balmy (!) 38°

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/17/2012 08:57:35 PM · #456

First egg arrived 7:47 Decorah time (about 10 minutes ago).... Looks like everyone is doing well!

scooter97

Canon EOS-6D

02/17/2012 09:56:23 PM · #457

That's great news!! I'll be hooked again for another season.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

02/17/2012 10:36:54 PM · #458

Wooops, went away for a bit and now mom's got an egg and is flat out on the nest,
sound asleep, with her bill in the bowl.

It is an amazing sight to see. Even in the black n white infra-red(?) light
they have at night.

cowboy221977

Canon EOS-60D

02/17/2012 10:55:34 PM · #459

I love watching the eagles....Great birds

cloudsme

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

02/18/2012 12:15:09 AM · #460

There's an egg. Bump

Message edited by author 2012-02-18 00:15:55.

02/19/2012 09:14:21 PM · #461

fascinating to watch. This link should get you there.
The first egg came Friday night. Should be another egg or two along shortly. Meanwhile, the coming and going of the
mated pair is a wonderful experience to watch.

Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS USM

02/20/2012 10:10:59 PM · #462

Egg # 2 arrived approximately 3 minutes ago... all doing well. Looks like Mom is preparing for snow expected to come in tonight.

DCNUTTER

Canon EOS-7D

02/20/2012 10:15:22 PM · #463

Originally posted by ancientimages:

Egg # 2 arrived approximately 3 minutes ago... all doing well. Looks like Mom is preparing for snow expected to come in tonight.

She better wake up and realize she's not on those eggs well enough to keep them warm. In this case good enough is NOT good enough!

Dave

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/20/2012 10:26:08 PM · #464

She's giving me palpitations - that cold wind is blowing and the little eggies are nekked!!

02/20/2012 11:10:06 PM · #465

She got them covered just in time for the snow to cover her.... face planted again for awhile, but she's moving her head around again and seems to be back among the living... I know eagles have been doing this for thousands of years, but, like others, I wish I had a warm fuzzy blanket to spread over her.

(edited to correct typos from fingers trying to type too fast and get back to eagle watching)

Message edited by author 2012-02-20 23:49:05.

02/20/2012 11:26:24 PM · #466

What an incredible sight.
And sometimes "we" think we have it bad.
as you say, ancientimages, they know how to do this, but what endurance.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

02/21/2012 12:35:35 AM · #467

Originally posted by ancientimages:

Meanwhile, D1, the monitored eaglet from last year's brood is hanging out about 30 miles south of Decorah, apparently with other eagles, and seems to be following streams and rivers and staying in sparsely populated areas (except for her random visits to the Walmart in Decorah). It will be interesting to see if she stays in the area or takes off on another trek like she did last fall...

She visited the Walmart? It would seem she knows she's a star!

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/21/2012 01:14:23 PM · #468

All the questions we didn't know how to ask just might be answered here:
This blog tells all about how their feathers insulate the birds, how the eggs survive,
and indeed why the eggs are left open to the air sometimes. (The birds have a temp of 101° and sometimes the eggs need to cool off).

fascinating reading if you have the time.

scooter97

Canon EOS-6D

02/21/2012 04:42:08 PM · #469

A screen capture of mom Eagle on the nest last night after she had just laid her 2nd egg. This looks quite bad but the feathers insulate both the parent and the eggs underneath quite well. These animals have been surviving through conditions such as these for thousands of years. Everything was fine this AM when I checked.

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

02/21/2012 06:19:17 PM · #470

Originally posted by scooter97:

That was the most amazing thing I remember seeing last year -- The chicks had all hatched, and usually there was just one parent in the nest. But there was a big snow storm, and both parents where there, not moving, covering the chicks during the storm. It was so incredibly impressive!!!

They seriously need to install a photographer's blind up there. I'd ignore any fear of heights and pay a huge amount of money to be able to sit, watch, and photograph close at hand. :D

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

02/24/2012 09:11:31 PM · #471

3rd egg arrived about five minutes ago. Mom has settled nicely. All is good in the cottonwood.

cowboy221977

Canon EOS-60D

02/24/2012 09:13:07 PM · #472

I saw egg number 3

02/24/2012 10:45:35 PM · #473

Awww, I missed it. but right now, that little lady looks tuckered out.

03/02/2012 10:46:04 AM · #474

Oh, a nice wet snow is falling right now at the Decorah eagle homestead. the sitting eagle has water beading on its back
and for some reason, just looks serene and comfortable. The camera is being operated by a human at this moment if anyone
has time to look.

hahn23