Story and photos by Robin Brumm
February 11, 2023: DM2 in N4.
It’s been about a month since I’ve been to Decorah and the weekend weather was predicted to be sunny and mid 40’s…perfect weather for a trip to Decorah! So I set the alarm to Dark O’clock on Saturday, and off I went. When I got to Decorah, I went right to the hatchery. I had seen that Hatchery Dad had spent part of the night on the nest, and I was hoping he was still there! I drove past N1…Ugh! I was too late, both he and Hatchery Mom left by the time I got there! I waited a little while, but they didn’t show up, so I decided to go to N4 and see if Mom and DM2 were around.
When I walked down the trail to the N4 area, I looked up and saw an eagle flying toward N4 with a stick. I looked through my binoculars but couldn’t tell who it was. I took a picture and zoomed in on my camera. It was DM2! I took several pictures of him in the nest, and then scanned the area with my binoculars. I looked in a few of their favorite perching spots. Wait! There was somebirdy in the perch tree, higher up in the branches. It was Mom! I got a big smile on my face. I love when I get to see both of them. Eventually DM2 flew to a tree near N4, while Mom stayed in the upper branches of the perch tree. I think she found a perfect spot to supervise, lol. I stood on the trail for the longest time watching Mom and DM2. I wanted to get a fly-off or flying shot. My camera shut off so I looked down to turn it back on and looked back up at Mom and DM2, and they were both gone!! I really think they watch me and when they notice I look away they take off! Lol I looked all over and couldn’t see them flying anywhere, and I only looked down for a couple of seconds! How do they disappear like that?
A comparison graphic of N4 from October to February. Dates the photos were taken are on each photo. (The first photo has an error on the date, it should be 10/29/22)
I waited for a little bit but Mom and DM2 didn’t come back, so I drove to the Hatchery to see if I could find HD & HM. I looked in all the favorite spots close to the hatchery but didn’t see them. I drove down the road a little ways and looked to the left. There they were, in the tree line behind the cow farm! I was able to pull off onto the side of the road and get a few photos. They actually stayed in that tree for several hours. Finally it was time for me to leave. Even though I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get more and better photos, it was a good day because I did get to see all 4 eagles. Hmmm.. now that I think about it, any time I get to see Mom and DM2 it is a great day!
February 11, 2023: Hatchery Mom(HM) and Hatchery Dad(HD) in a tree near the cow farm.
RRP appreciates Robin’s generosity in sharing her photos and reminds you they are copyrighted and may not be downloaded without her express written permission.
The Raptor Resource Project