A Day Trip to Decorah, by Robin Brumm. Thanks so much for sharing, Robin! We are so happy to see Mom and DM2 again!
I decided to make another trip to Decorah to see how Mom and DM2 were doing. One good thing about nesting time is that whatever time I get there, an eagle is always on the nest, so I don’t have to get up at Dark O’clock! I left at Dark ‘thirty, this time, lol.
March 7, 2021: DM2 on the new nest
When I got to N3, DM2 was on the nest. I didn’t see Mom anywhere, so I watched DM2 incubate. I stood there for quite a while and eventually decided to go back to my car to get something to drink. About halfway back to my car, I saw an eagle flying toward the hatchery. I drove to the hatchery to see if, by some chance, was Mom or DM2 heading that way. I got to the hatchery and didn’t see anybirdy. I drove over by the N2B nest, and since I didn’t see anyone there either, I turned around, looked up, and there was Mom sitting in the maple! She is so sneaky, flying in and out without a peep! At least when the juvies are around you can hear them coming.
March 7, 2021: Mom in the Maple
I parked on the shoulder of the hatchery road and took a few photos of her. She was so nice to pose for me! She is so beautiful. I miss not seeing her on the cam, incubating her precious eggs. I asked her if she laid three eggs again this year but she kept her beak shut and wouldn’t share! She stayed on the maple for a little while and then flew off.
I drove back to N3 with a stop for some coffee. When I got there, I thought Mom was in N3 and DM2 was in a tree near the new nest. Mom stood up and stretched and flew off to the east. I didn’t see anyone fly in and when she flew, I thought, where is she going?? I watched her fly off and then turned around to look at the nest and noticed she was laying in the nest! I looked at my photos on my camera, and apparently it was DM2 that was in the nest and flew off, and not Mom!
March 7, 2021: Mom flying off a tree near N3
After quite a while, Mom stood up and flew off toward the hatchery direction. She was gone for about 5-10 min. and then flew back in and resumed incubation duties. Hmmm, I wonder where she went and what she did? Again, she wasn’t sharing! By this time it was early afternoon and time for lunch. A fish sandwich sounds good! 😉 [Amy’s note: yes it does – fish sandwiches up!] I ate and then went to check the nest one more time before I left. DM2 was back on the nest and Mom must have been on a fly about. I guess that means it was time for me to fly too. Till next time, Mom & DM2!
March 7, 2021: DM2 flying off N3
Thanks so much to Robin for sharing her story and observations. Please remember that these photos are Robin’s and should not be downloaded without her permission. It was wonderful to see Mom and DM2 again!
March 7, 2021: Mom on N3
The Raptor Resource Project