Iowa Bald Eagles ready to hatch their eggs. LIVE!

[hpmsrm]

Two Eagles....in the nest.....with eggs just about to hatch.  I believe it is a live video.  I noticed that there are an awful lot of folks watching.  This is in NE Iowa near the town of Decorah.  NE Iowa is pretty much dairy country....hilly and lots of forest and woods with cliffs and rock formations.  Not too far from the Mississippi River.   Have a look while it is is still daylight.

I rushed to get this posted for all our wildlife lovers. Hope I'm correct on my facts.

[skeeterintexas]

That was a parent on the limb earlier but the third one JUST branched!

The whole family is out there.  One of the juvies is right behind the parent on the limb to the right.

[hpmsrm]

Tonight....about 7:10 PM

Kind of hard to see through the leaves.  I count 3 and I don't believe any of them are parents.  Wonder if they'll sit out there all night trying to work up their nerve.

[skeeterintexas]

The parents sat out there with them for a bit and then left.  Yes, that's all 3 of the kiddos. 

The one on the lowest part of the branch on the left was the last one to hop on out there to join the other two.  He fused and yelled in the nest and finally 'took the plunge'.  It was too cute.

I'm going to watch and see if they manage to hop, hop, hop back to the nest.  It makes me think of a kitten that'll climb a tree and then cry because they can't figure out how to get down.

[spd2demun]

Thanks for the photos!  I hope I don't miss their first flight!

[Uniblurb3]

Amazing how much the juvenile's look like Golden Eagles and guess that's what they are often mistaken for.

I too would really like to see their 1st flight.

[hpmsrm]

I was just checking and only two of the Eaglets were out on the main limb.  Then....all of a sudden...from lower-right frame the third one came probably from the nest and flew the short distance across open space to the branch that extends to the left.  So it isn't going to be long now.

[dhascall]

This is awesome! We all feel like doting parents.

[spd2demun]

I'm going to worry about them when they fledge!

The guy on the site said they plan to radio tag at least on of the kids about 2-3 weeks after they've been out of the nest. He said so many people have asked what happened to the ones from last year, and he cannot answer that question.

[TexasEd]

Dang!  Missed it!  http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/27808/iowas+world-famous+bald+eagle+chicks+begin+to+fledge/

[spd2demun]

Surely someone caught a photo on the site?  I couldn't find one.

I was watching them at 7:30A today from dr's. office and the bigger one flew over to the branch with the other two, but then my i-device's battery died.

[hpmsrm]

What with my problems generated by upgrading my laptop to FF 5.....I've missed out on a few days of the Eaglets adventures.  But I was just over there and no birds on the tree limbs.  But I could hear them screeching off in the distance.  Then, all of a sudden, one of the babies came swooping in from the right side and flew past the camera.....probably landing in the nest...which I think is behind it.  Anyway he/she was so excited and enjoying the flying so much that it would not stop screeching.  Then, in the distance, an answering call and all of a sudden another of the eaglets swooped in and landed on the limb...further out and in front of the camera.   It would appear that all are now actively flying around the area.  I presume that mom and dad will now begin their education in hunting game for mealtimes.

It's been an amazing few weeks watching all this from mom and pop sitting on the eggs....through the hatching of the babies.....then their growth to full size and now away they go doing what eagles do best.  These two adults must be really good parents.  I think I remember it being commented on that this was their 4th family...but don't quote me on that.

[skeeterintexas]

Is fun to hear those 'babies' squawkin' when they're hungry.  I'm sure Mom & Dad are just about ready to teach them to hunt!

It'll be bittersweet once they're on their own and we won't get to watch anymore.  Yes, this is the 4th time they've raised their brood successfully:

"What is the history of this pair?
They have been together since the winter of 2007-2008. Her markings at that time indicated that she was about 4 years old. They successfully hatched and fledged 2 eaglets in 2008, then 3 in 2009, and 3 more in 2010.

[hpmsrm]

Yep....they're quite a pair.  Too bad human kids can't be raised so quickly....taught to walk....and then shoved out of the nest to make their own way.  Sure would be a lot cheaper.

I just checked over there again a few minutes ago.  All three of the kids are in the nest sqreeching their heads off.....presumably for mom and/or dad to bring lunch.  I noticed that one of the "voices" is noticeably lower pitched than the others.  Perhaps the male?  Heck....what I know about birds does not extend beyond having to clean their deposits off my car windhield.

[spd2demun]

Look quick--all 3 are out on the branches now.

Picture is very blurry/pixelated, so I didn't screenshot (but and ad popped under for UVTV!).

I can't believe they're going back to the nest!  That must have been a sight!

I checked on them at the doctor's office last week, and they were nowhere to be seen.  I read that the cam will stay up as long as the birds are being seen.

Yeah, I hear that about out of the nest and for cheap!

[spd2demun]

Mom or Dad just landed in the nest, they all started screaming (and are still doing it!); flew to the nest, the parent flew to the branch.  Too funny!  Wow, are they loud!!!