Story and photos by Robin Brumm
Last week was time for my annual Decorah Vacation to meet with some friends and spend some time with the eagles. This year I definitely did a lot more chatting with friends than taking photos. In fact, I took about the same amount of photos in the five days I was there that I have usually taken in one day in past years.
July 2023: Mom in a dead tree near N4
I made it down to N4 a couple of times. I admit that just about every time I walk down the trail to N4, I whisper, “Please be there. Please be there. Please be there!” It doesn’t work every time though, lol. One time nobirdy was home, but the other time I got to see Mom!! It is always so good to see her! She was very cooperative and posed nicely for some photos.
July 2023: DH2 and a red-winged blackbird
When at the hatchery, It is very hard to see the eagles when they are in the N1 tree. There is a place where the parents like to perch that is a good spot to get a photo from the bridge. Most of the spots that DH2 liked to perch were in the upper branches, in the nest or on the Y branch and it was very hard to find him/her from the ground. DH2 and the parents spent a lot of time up stream from N1 where of course, I couldn’t see them. I was thrilled the few times that DH2 perched in an open spot and I was able to see him/her.
July 2023: DH2 on the wing!
I was lucky and got to see DH2 flying a few times. One day, DH2 flew in and circled around the hatchery area. S/he flew over towards the bluffs and circle around higher and higher until s/he flew off over the trees. I was surprised how well and how high DH2 was flying since s/he had only fledged a week before. I loved it when s/he flew over us. I got to see my favorite thing about juvies…the wing pits!! They are so unique and beautiful!
July 2023: DH2 in the N1 tree
Although it was a wonderful vacation with friends, it was a little disappointing that I wasn’t able to get more and better photos. It’s a good thing that DH2 will most likely be staying around several more weeks. Hopefully there will be better photo opportunities to come!
July 2023: Beautiful HM in a favorite perching spot
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.
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