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[T40cfr403]

From RRP:

We are turning our Decorah North and Decorah streams back on on Saturday, October 8, at noon. Please join us for celebratory chats on our website from noon to 3pm central time!

[shep]

THANKS T

[T40cfr403]

Raptor Resource Project
1h

We are very sad to announce that Willard Holthaus passed away last week. Willard became an eagle lover after the Decorah Eagles built a nest in the cottonwood above his garage.  One of the highlights of his later years along Trout Run Creek was watching and learning about them.  Cinematographer and natural history film producer Neil Rettig began filming 'American Eagle' in 2007 and needed to find an eagle's nest. RRP founder Bob Anderson told him there was one in Decorah, unexpectedly near a woodshed and very, very easy to access and film. The two started filming from the famous white barn in the background but quickly secured permission from Willard to put cameras in the nest, beginning the Decorah Eagles story. Willard and his wife Mary Ellen loved serving as caretakers of the Decorah Eagles and always had detailed stories to share every time they saw us working in the garage that we call command central.  Willard frequently flagged us down to tell us about the eagles and swap stories about what was going on while we were gone or outside the watchful lenses of our eagle cams.  His enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and support for the bald eagle live cam will be greatly missed.

https://www.schluterbalikfuneralhome.com/obituary/willard-holthaus?fbclid=IwAR2HNswdDf6yGIit0s8gfAXLTHtB-oQV1LIxBtFNJdj1lXU6UAL_wTxXVmQ

It's been a couple of tough years for the early crew. Thank you for your support.

[LisaG1967]

T40 - Thanks for the RRP info on cams, and about Willard’s passing. 

[Puff]

What a beautiful soul Willard was, so glad we talked with him so many years ago.  During our trips to Decorah Tony's yearly car ride over to Decorah would always involve his rememberances of our chats with Willard at the garage, the tent, or just at the hatchery ATF table.  Our eagle family was truly blessed to be adopted by him.

P

[T40cfr403]

Puff - Thank you for sharing such a lovely remembrance of Willard.

[shep]

RIP Willard Holthaus
May the LORD comfort his family

[RubyRed246]

Very sad to hear of Willard Holthaus passing. Blessings and comfort from friends, family and your eagle family. Thank you for your willingness to help RRP.

[BrokenLug]

The key to it all one could consider.

[shep]

COUNTDOWN
Decorah returns in 2 days
streams back on at NOON Saturday, October 8

 

[LisaG1967]

I know T40 usually post, but such exciting news from RRP!

Raptor Resource Project

Happy Flock-Tober, everyone! We'll begin streaming again on Saturday, October 8, at noon. Please join us for a celebratory chat on our website from noon to 3pm CT at https://www.raptorresource.org/birdcams/decorah-eagles/. We look forward to seeing you and are hopeful that HD and HM will put on an appearance. If you don't see them between noon and three, be sure to check the stream on Sunday morning! Mr. North and DNF are still on staycation, although we've seen them in the area and expect nest work to start soon.

So what did we do in September?
Decorah North: We cleaned cameras, added a new camera, and replaced an old camera. We also squirrel-proofed our mounts to protect them - for whatever reason, the North Nest squirrels like to chew on our camera mounts!

Decorah N2B: We cleaned cameras and did a whole lot of foliage trimming. While we haven't seen our new eagles in N2B very often, the nest is ready for Bald Eagles or Canada Geese! We were surprised by how much the nest had compacted since last year.

Decorah N1: We did not go into the N1 tree because the hatchery pair is still very present and we didn't want to disturb them in any way. However, we added a camera on another tree in the area and replaced the camera on top of the hatchery pavilion. HD and HM are very busy working on the nest right now!

Master bander David Kester has been bringing classes to our banding station. We've got six interns from Luther College and are proud to have hosted visits by an Environmental Philosophy class for a visit and discussion of hands-on field work. Education is an important part of our mission and we hope to expand this program even more in the future!

Thanks so much for watching, sharing, learning, and especially for caring. We're looking forward to seeing everyone again!

[Puff]

Oh no - Does the replacing of the pavillion camera mean I no longer will get the chance to sing out " Shake, shake, shake - shake, shake, shake - shake your booty!

P

[T40cfr403]

Puff - I'd like to see somebody try to stop you!

[shep]

COUNTDOWN
Decorah STREAM returns NOON TOMORROW Saturday, October 8

ATTRACTION
Puff will be shaking her booty for us   

[STLbf]

Here we are back, and hello Decorah nest watchers.  Some great views from the new camera at N1 this first day of the new season.  It's all scenery so far today.  The birds will come.

Enjoy pics of N1 and area nearby.