Decorah Nest

The sunset was really pretty at the nest this afternoon.  Last night the 2 owls showed up and they need to know there is no room for them on the nest.  The other day the camera operator got some closeups.  How beautiful is he?

7th Grade

When I was in 7th Grade my English teacher gave us a Christmas Village to put together and write a story about our village.  It was made of stock paper and the houses were a dark teal, orange, yellow, and green.  Over the years I have lost almost all of the pieces and I think I have lost my story as well.
Today at Michaels as I was looking for the ribbon you can cross stitch on for bookmarks next year, I came upon these houses and their embellishment kits.  I found 3 houses and 3 kits.  Ok they are not the same but they brought up the memories I have of that village and how every year I would drag it out and put it up for Christmas.  I looked online for more but nope. So I will have to be content with the 3 I found and put them up on my mantel for next year and write the next chapter in my village story.  I got them all for the price of one house so I feel pretty good about that.

The sugar plum house on the right is a bit gaudy for me, but it will be fun to put them together and use them every year.  The penguin house on the left  is for my niece as she loves her pengins.  I am wondering if I can find a pattern somewhere and make some more. We shall see.

Perfect Little Gifts

One of my neighbor kids is 12 and she is a great artist.  I think she gets better every year.  Anyway she made me this for Christmas.  I absolutely love it.  She took some of the flowers in my flower bed and put some butterflies in as well.  I need to find the perfect spot in my house for it so that I can see it all the time and she knows how much I love it.

Why Is There An Orange In My Stocking?

I always got an orange in my stocking as a kid and I still do. I remember my parents talking about how special it was to get an orange when they were a kid.  Perhaps this is why I still get one.

http://totallythebomb.com/did-you-ever-wonder-why-we-put-oranges-in-christmas-stockings

What Happened to the Egg?

Remember we had an egg this season that did not hatch.  Finally permits were granted and the egg was opened.  It appears it was never fertilized so no hatch.  This is the first time for this to happen at this nest, but it is nature.  They found a lot of nest material in the nest cup area where they found the egg buried deep. It is believed just the nest cup material would fill a 5 gallon bucket.  We knew the cup was deep but not that deep, so just how deep is that nest and where do those mice live in the bottom of the nest.

More from the RRP blog on why the egg may not have been fertilized.

https://raptorresource.blogspot.com/2016/12/report-on-unhatched-eagle-egg-from-n2b.html

Christmas Cactus

Something has made the Christmas Cactus very happy. The blooms are so gorgeous and plentiful.  It certainly seems to be happy where it is currently living in the bathroom window.

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish for you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.  I am so grateful for everything I have in my life especially this year.

I found this pic on Facebook, how beautiful is this, oh Italy how I love you and if your government was not so anti what I want in a gov, i might consider moving there.  So for now I can dream.

Where the scenery becomes a home for your soul. Discover Radda in Chianti, a place of stone and wine 

Mystery Yarn

Do you have some mystery yarn in your stash. Not sure what weight it is?  Check out this article and it may be able to help you.
http://blog.loveknitting.com/how-to-figure-out-yarn-weight/?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=21112016_blog_yarnweight&utm_medium=post

I Need One of These

Last Hurrah

We may get a frost tonight but for sure in about a week we will get our first real freeze.  I went out and took pics of the remaining garden for this year.  I wish I could keep them through the winter but alas nope.  It is still really nice for mid november for here.  I had cleaned out my flower beds this Spring but parents needed my attention for most of the year and so maybe next year I can get my flower beds back in order.

My red cherry plant is going nuts, i need to pick them today.

This is a tomato plant that started growing about a month ago, have no idea where it came from, has blooms and tomatoes which aren't gonna make it this year,maybe next.  My petunias going for one last bloom.

The wild radish is out of control, it spreads and has these pretty little purple flowers.

This marigold showed up in the middle of the wild radish, just a splash of bright yellow in the flower bed.

The zinnias are going for round 2 this year.

These zinnias seems to have wanted to jump barrel so they have started their own little village which is ok cos i was gonna fill this bed anyway with flowers.

Some of my Favorite Birds

Happy Halloween

Today is my parent's 62nd wedding anniversary.  I hope they have a great day.
When I was a kid and dad would be assigned to attend a new school for a new piece of equipment at his job we would pack up and go to OKC for temporary duty.  We always stayed in these apartments at Parkview Village on SW 23rd street.  There were probably about 200 units.  Everyone's mom made candy apples, popcorn balls, etc and my brother and i always brought home a paper grocery sack full  of candy.  OH the days of not having to worry about anything and knowing that everything you brought home was safe and good.  It has always been my fav day:  make believe and candy what more could you ask for?

Scones

I took a cooking class today at the Culinary Center.  I have never taken a cooking class and I had so much fun and learned so much.  I went with my 3 knitting bffs.  It was my belated birthday event.  We made a lemon scone and an apple yeast bread.  I learned you should weigh your ingredients because the dry ingredients can pack down quite a bit such as flour when you use a measuring cup. When you use a scale be sure to pour slowly and let the grams on the scale catch up to what you have put in the bowl.    I learned that you should not really use instant yeast as it is to be treated differently than regular yeast.  Regular yeast needs to be poured on warm water and let float to the bottom of the pan.  Also bread flour should not be used for scones but mostly yeast breads. Bread flour has more protein.

I brought home a batch of lemon scones and the dough for the apple bread with the apple and cinnamon/mace combo to make up later.  So in the morning i will make up my bread and let the house smell wonderful.

I love scones and they are easy to make but you have to barely mix the ingredients so the gluten does not make tough scones when they cook. Don't overbake them either  They are great because you can make them plain or put just about any flavors in them you want.

I will definitely take more classes and this was so much fun and I learned a lot.  

It's Time Already

Today they turned on the new cameras for the Decorah nests.  The picture is so clear and I can't wait to see the eaglets up close and personal like never before.  I checked in today and no building up on the nest yet, but soon, so soon.  Check out the new cameras.  See you at the nest.

What If I Find a Dead or injured Bird of Prey?

The Raptor Resource has written up a summary of what to do if you find a dead or injured bird of prey such an eagle, hawk, etc.  I am going to keep the phone numbers in my phone and hope I never need them.

http://www.raptorresource.org/learning-tools/dealing-with-dead-or-injured-bald-eagles-and-other-birds-of-prey/

Mrs Wilsons Knitting Circle

The is the second year for our knit group.  Every time we meet we get a pattern that was used to knit for the soldiers.  Today we saw some actual garments and many were 100 years old.  I love the short grey vest and the gloves.  The socks looked brand new.

RIP D25

9/27 post per RRP: D25 passed away yesterday due to car accident. D24 is ok.

We are sorry to let everyone know that Brett and his assistants found D25 yesterday dead alongside a road between Maynard and Westgate, IA. He was likely scavenging a raccoon carcass when he was struck and killed by a vehicle. His body will be sent to the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, WI for a necropsy. All of us find it heartbreaking to lose another eagle. It is one thing to know that first-year bald eagles have high mortality rates and another to see it reflected in the lives of eagles we have come to know and love.

We have tracked six eagles to date: D1, D14, Four, Indy, D24, and D25. All six grew up in a world heavily impacted by human beings. The fish hatchery provided an excellent source of food, shredded cornstalks provided insulation for the nest, and light and electrical poles provided perches for fledgling eagles just learning their wings. But poles also present electrocution hazards; powerlines, cars, and buildings present collision hazards, and everything from gutpiles to landfills to confined feedlots present a route for potential toxins that can maim or kill scavengers. I want to believe that we are making headway in reducing electrocution, poisoning, and collision deaths. Certainly, bald eagles as a species are thriving. But it still hurts to lose an eagle we know.

How did Brett know there was a problem? Sensor data was static, D25's location hadn't changed significantly, and the area was not one in which Brett expected an eagle to stay for an extended period of time. After finding D25's body, which he was able to locate because the transmitter was still working, Brett decided to check on D24, who was about 40 minutes away near New Delhi, Iowa. We are pleased to report that D24 is doing well.

As one of our Decorah Mods, Pyrmum1 said, "May D25 fly high with the other offspring from Mom & Dad Decorah taken too soon".

The photo of D25 making early morning takeoff was taken by David Lynch at 5:40AM on June 28, 2016. Thank you to David Lynch for sharing his lovely photo and to Brett Mandernack and his staff for sharing their data. Through Brett's study, we have learned that power infrastructure, agriculture practices, collisions, and habitat change/loss all contribute directly to deaths of Bald Eagles. These lessons can be terribly painful, but they also enable us to preserve and protect raptors. Whether it is by driving slowly, picking up trash, reporting collisions and electrocutions, advocating for safeguards on power lines and poles, using lead-free ammo and tackle, preserving habitat, or sharing information with family and friends, thank you for doing what you can for birds of prey.

Let's Go Dodgers!

The Dodgers have clinched their 4th consecutive National League West title today defeating the Rockies in 10 innings.  Postseason play will be against the Washington Nationals on October 7th.  Congratulations, way to go!

The Egg

WOWOWOW the egg is still there <3 span="">

Raptor Resource Project

15 hrs · 

Work Updates, Camera Installs & Unhatched Bald Eagle Egg Retrieval

2016 Decorah Camera Crew: John Howe, Dave Kester, David Lynch, Ann Lynch, Kike Arnal

Decorah Eagle camera maintenance began last Sunday, September 18, 2016, with the crew starting at N1. The recent flooding in Decorah and surrounding areas have changed the landscape around both of the Decorah Eagles nests. Trout Creek/Trout Run Stream has lost about 20 feet of stream bank at the base of N1, making work a bit difficult around the nest tree, but a new PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera was mounted, along with a new microphone and IR illuminator (providing “night vision” for the nest and “Y” branch). The work at N1 was completely finished by Tuesday afternoon, and the crew then focused on N2B.

Work at the Decorah Eagles new man-made nest (N2B) began in earnest on Wednesday morning. Before camera work began, John Howe and Kike Arnal retrieved the non-viable egg from the nest. The egg was buried under approximately 6-8 inches of nest material and was in perfect shape (picture provided with this post). Working with the Iowa DNR, the egg will be sent to Iowa State University for analysis. As a note, Amy Ries worked very hard to obtain the proper permits for the crew to retrieve the egg. Thanks, Amy! After egg retrieval, the work of mounting of a new PTZ camera, microphone, and IR illuminator began up at the nest. While the camera at N1 was replaced, at N2B, the new camera is in addition to the old PTZ and stationary cameras, so as to provide a different view of the nest! On Thursday morning, work was slowed at N2B by a 3-4 inch rainfall overnight, which caused Trout Creek/Trout Run Stream to rise right to the base of the nest tree. The crew worked slowly and methodically to promote safety, and finished up the job by late Thursday evening!

As a side note, Raptor Resource Project welcomed an Iowa Public TV crew to the work site for the week. The crew documented all of the camera work and what goes into replacing and maintaining the cameras, as well as the egg retrieval. The crew also interviewed all of the cam team for use in a documentary about Raptor Resource Project and the legacy of our founder Bob Anderson. They still have much work to do, and we do not know when the film will be finished, but we anxiously await the final product!

Currently, work is ongoing at the Decorah North nest, with an additional, new PTZ camera system being mounted. The new camera will record video in 4K high definition and should provide a spectacular picture!

Also, Amy Ries has been working in Platteville, CO at the Fort St. Vrain Bald Eagle nest for the last week to mount a brand new camera system with our partners at Xcel Energy. We know Amy would love to be in Decorah helping with the eagle cam work, but she is working VERY hard in Colorado (while still helping us in Decorah!!) to provide a much-needed update to the cameras and infrastructure so we can continue to help bring you the live stream of the FSV nest!

Thanks for your support of Raptor Resource Project, and stay tuned for updates on camera maintenance and dates when our live streams will resume broadcasting. We are all excited for another season of raptor watching!

~ David Lynch, Board of Directors

Fall

Fall or Autumn starts later today.  It means the days get shorter, flowers and garden starts to slow production.  The migrating birds are fueling up to leave, the leaves are slowly turning colors and falling from the trees.  The grass has slowed down a bit in needing to be mowed.  I am not a fan of Fall because I have allergies to ragweed and mold.  I don't like the shorter days, I don't like losing my hummingbirds, and I don't like my flowers dying.  I do enjoy the vibrant red colors on some of my trees (btw the pictures are from a past year), Halloween,  and I enjoy my winter birds coming back such as the Juncos.  I am a Spring and Summer person.  So those of you are Fall fans enjoy it for me as well.   I will be counting the days til Spring arrives.

D24 and D25 Whereabouts

Where are D24 and D25? Their wanderings may be taking them closer together! After flying east to the Mississippi river, D25 returned to NE Iowa. He is currently on the Volga river near the Volga state recreation area. D24 was last spotted on a nameless stream roughly 38 miles SE of his brother.

Like D25, bald eagles D1 and Four spent time along the Volga, while D24 is in an area previously explored by Four. Will the two meet again, or will their paths take different directions? We are looking forward to finding out!

A million thanks to Brett Mandernack and the hard-working staff at Eagle Valley for sharing their data and maps with us! To explore our collection of pdf and interactive eagle maps, please visithttp://www.raptorresource.org/eagle-map/

Esmeralda

If you are old enough you remember Bewitched had the aunt and I believe her name was Esmeralda.  I loved that show, I always wanted to be Samantha and wiggle my nose and get things done.

One of my knitting friends has some of these dolls around her house, I asked her to ask the lady if she could make me a witch.  So here she is.  I love her, the detail are so much fun.

Last Hurrah

It is that time of year when the flowers quit blooming, the birds start to migrate and Fall is soon to arrive.  This is one sunflower plant that got so big and heavy it fell over on the yard, when it fell the blooms had not opened yet, now look at it.  The goldfinches love the seeds and the hummingbirds sit on the stalks and watch the world go by.  My Hibiscus finally bloomed, must have been the 90's and rain that it felt like it was in a tropical climate.  I had 3 hummingbirds the other day and the nectar is being sucked down quickly, they will be gone in a couple of weeks.

Grilled Cheese and Egg

The first recipe in my new Grilled Cheese sandwich book is to put a fried egg in between the cheese in your sandwich.  I had a great loaf of very soft pumpernickel bread with butter and sharp cheddar and havarati (I could not find Monterey Jack) as the recipe called for.

I fried my egg first as I like mine hard, no runny eggs for me.  I really don't like eggs unless they are  in cake.  I buttered the outside of my bread and put a slice of sharp cheddar, egg, and havarti and the other slice of bread and cooked them in the skillet like a grilled cheese.

It was not bad.  I would not do it regularly, but the cheese melted around the egg and held it in place.  Give it a try it would make a good breakfast sandwich.

Loopy Academy

It is September and Loopy Academy is in session.  I am in my Junior year for yarn and my Sophomore year for fabric.

Junior Year Yarn Semester 1 (Each project must use a minimum of 250 yards):

A pair of gloves with full fingers (no fingerless mitts)

A knitted or crocheted toy using more than one color of yarn. (You can add knitted clothes or make a set of toys to get the yardage required.)

A project that incorporates bobbles or popcorn or nupps in the pattern.

I hate bobbles but i am doing a pair of socks in a bright red lipstick color with toooo many bobbles.  I am doing a pair of stuffed giraffes in brown and marigold orange for the toy and i am doing a pair of gloves with cables in the cuff in gray.

Sophomore Year Fabric Semester 1 (Each project must use a minimum of 2  yards):

1 or more Zipper Box Bags (you need to use 2 yds. fabric, so a big one or sets of smaller ones)

A wearable project (like an apron or shirt or dress) that has embroidery featured somewhere on it.

A quilt or table topper or wall hanging that uses a mixture of cotton plus wool fabrics

I am making 4 zipper box bags in halloween fabric..  I love them for sock projects.  I am  making an apron with an embroidered elephant and flowers on the top and may do something on the pockets as well.  I am making an autumn table runner with a pumpkin in each corner with leaves made out of wool.  

Are you at the Academy or sitting on the sidelines watching the progress?

Grilled Cheese

I love grilled cheese sandwiches.  I don't want anything with them especially tomato soup (it makes me nauseous).  This book not only has sandwich recipes but soup, spreads and sides to go with your sandwich.  I got my copy at a local kitchen store but you can find it on amazon.  This winter I plan on working my way through the book to see what yummies I can please my taste palate with.  

Halloween Candy Jar

The grocery store this week had yuge bags of candy corn already.  Today on facebook there is a cute gumball candy corn machine that you can make.  This page also has more Halloween goodies. It is never too early to start on the Halloween crafts.
http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2010/09/halloween-candy-jar.html

Harry Potter Cursed Child

I obtained a copy of the latest Harry Potter book.  It did not take long to read because it is in play form and the scenes are extremely short.  I was very disappointed.  I would have liked the book if it had been written out as a real book and not a play put in book form.  I felt it was too choppy and jumped back and forth so much that you never got a good feel as to where in the story you were.  It was hard to imagine a scene in my head because the scene jumped around too much.  I have to say I feel this was an extreme waste of my money and time.  This is just my opinion but I give it two thumbs down.

How Tracking the Eagles Works

The Raptor Resource Project Blog has a rather lengthy article on how the transmitters placed on D24 and D25 work.  When you have a few minutes give it a read.

http://raptorresource.blogspot.com/2016/08/eagle-tracking-can-you-do-something.html

Dinesh Souza Hillary Movie

I went to Dinesh's latest movie about Hillary. How anyone can vote for her is beyond me. He does a history of the Democrat party and how they have always hated everyone that is not white starting with Andrew Jackson. I did not know Davey Crockett was a Republican congressman and that most of the sufragettes were Republican. The end is very powerful. If you have time, go see it and see what exactly what the Democrats are doing, stealing America and all that is stands for so the elite whites can control us in one big plantation. There are some painful scenes to watch when the dems attack the black people in the 1800's but it is History and it needs to NOT be repeated. Remember the KKK, the New Deal, Civil Rights Act, Margaret Sanger and her Plannned Parenthood were all started to annihilate all minorities and any whites that stood in the way. Hillary has praised Margaret Sanger many times and praises her work.  Hillary has no heart or soul and is out to completely destroy America and all it stands for.

D20 Update, Isn't He Beautiful?

Thanks for sharing David Lynch!

David Lynch

16 hrs · 

✰✰✰ Raptor Resource Project - Decorah Bald Eagles: "Decorah", Ambassador In Training (AIT) with Saving Our Avian Resources (SOAR) of Dedham, Iowa...

"Decorah" was a fledgling from the Decorah Bald Eagles 2014 clutch. That year, the nestlings endured arctic cold, downpours, and a black fly population explosion, which we think may have driven the juveniles to fledge early.... Decorah, who we think was D20, spent his last 2 days in his nest standing in a puddle of rain water, until he made the leap from the nest. He was found in Trout Creek (located near his natal home) after suffering a collision with what we think was a heavy vehicle. Decorah fractured his humerus near his shoulder joint, and will never be able to fly again...

Decorah is now in training to become a very special (and famous) educational Bald Eagle under the care of my friend Kay Neumann at SOAR. This picture is from his visit to his hometown of Decorah for our (Raptor Resource Project) "After The Fledge" event, sitting in the shadows while enjoying a beam of sunlight.

2014 was a sad year, losing 2 of the 3 fledglings to electrocution. Hopefully, Decorah will have a full and long life, filled with teaching opportunities and plenty of fish!

~Dave~

please visit and support SOAR here: https://www.facebook.com/SOAR-Saving-Our-Avian-Resources-…/…

Tracking D24 and D25

If you want to know where the eagles are, check this website to follow their travels.

http://www.raptorresource.org/eagle-map

Justice Scalia Murdered

There are many out there who don't believe Justice Scalia died as the media reported.  This article does give one pause as to what did happen to Justice Scalia just as Obama was exiting the WH and perhaps Hillary might enter the WH.  The only thing left on the list of Alinsky is gun control which Hill has said she will basically stop at nothing to repeal the 2nd amendment and take our gun rights away.  Scalia was standing in her way.

http://endingthefed.com/scalia-murder-cover-up-begins-to-unravel-intelligence-officers-and-high-ranking-police-publicly-question-his-untimely-death.html

100 Days

I Wanted to Cruz into the White House

I am and still am a Cruz fan.  I love that he memorized the Constitution as a child and believes strongly in the document.  I love that he stood up to the RINOs in Congress and called them liars when they went back on their word to their constituents to stand against Obama and his minions.  He is one smart man.  So last night his speech was right on.  He is right that our two biggest issues is that we are in danger of losing what freedom we have left and our Constitution.

I understand why people love Trump, he is not a politician.  However I believe he would have run on the left had Hill not been running.  He is not a Republican and he sure is not a Conservative. He is a petulant child and we already have one of those in the WH currently.  He pouts if he does not get his way and is clueless as to how the government runs.   I will vote for Trump but I do not support him.  We can not let Hillary get in the WH, she will finish destroying this country. For all that she has done in her life she belongs in Super Max not the WH.

Reading all the precious snowflakes on facebook and other sites this morning saying Cruz went back on his word by not endorsing Trump need to get a grip.  He did endorse him just not in those words, he clearly laid out the plan to vote against Hillary.

I found this post on Facebook and he gave permission to copy and paste which I believe sums up the speech from Cruz last night.  I will continue to support Senator Cruz, we need more like him.

 
Kristopher Boring Cruz congratulated Trump for his victory. He said we must build the wall, which is a nod to Trump's big campaign promise. He said we must vote our conscience up-and-down the ticket. He said do not stay home, which is a call to the never trumpers to go ahead and vote. And he said we must unite our party around the principle of freedom and the Constitution. So what the convention does not understand is that Ted Cruz in his speech gave a challenge to Donald Trump to live up to the principles of the American Constitution, our founding values and the Republican Party. By not giving a simple exhortation to vote for Trump, Ted Cruz instead challenged Trump to earn the votes of Republicans across the nation by living up to our values. That is brilliant!

16

Hermione would have been 16 today.  I miss you girlfriend.  Hope you are not bothering the others who have gone before you too much.  Remember Garfield is the boss.

The Season is Over

Yesterday the camera was turned off of the Decorah Nest.  I have it open on my laptop every waking minute so I do not miss any exciting event.  Today I feel like I am lost because I have no nest to watch.  This was my 5th season.  You watch one season and you are addicted.  If you have never watched a nest and all that goes on from laying eggs to fledging, you truly are missing nature at it's finest.  Watching the nest is very calming and educational. Give it a try this Fall when the camera comes back on as you watch mom and dad re-build the nest for another exciting season.  For now Mom and Dad see you in a few months, teach the juveniles well and we will be watching them as their transmitters their every move.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my Aunt Jessie.  I hope you have a wonderful day and a great trip.  Love you much.

Camp Loopy Month 3

Theme: Faraway Lands. The challenge this month is to incorporate a different country into your project. You can do that by using a pattern by a designer who lives in a different country, or you can pick a pattern named for (or celebrating) something in a different country, or you can pick a color that reminds you of a place in a different country. Your project must use a minimum of 800 yards in this single project. (A single project meaning one item, not sets of things like a hat/scarf combo, matching shawls for you and a friend, etc.)
Theme: Faraway Lands. The challenge this month is to incorporate a different country into your project. You can do that by using a pattern by a designer who lives in a different country, or you can pick a pattern or block named for (or celebrating) something in a different country, or you can pick colors that remind you of a place in a different country. Your project must use a minimum of 4 yards in this single project.

I am knitting a sweater in a rosemary colorway and doing a quilt with a fabric that looks like a rosemary plant for the leaves on the tree.  

My Favorite Place San Gimignano

m

 from Tour Italy Now

My Tree Has a Boo-Boo

We had a microburst last week.  I found a large limb out of the walnut tree and some small branches down and the squirrels lost their new nest in the Maple tree.  My neighbors dad noticed this crack in one of my trees and today with the wind it was swaying quite a bit from the rest of the tree.  I have used this company for years to remove trees so today i say goodbye to my tallest tree in the back yard.  The guy that did the cutting was very impressive, everything was a precision drop straight down and filled up the circle in between the 4 trees.  Eventually the other 4 walnut trees will come down when money appears so there is not an accident that will cost lots of money.  I dont need 5 trees in the back yard when i have trees that  line the parking.  Too much shade will not let the sun in for the grass to grow.

 See the split in the Y, it was hollow and was swaying away from the tree today in the wind.

I about had a heart attack when this big limb came down but it just turned itself upside and hung by the rope.

The top is gone, it will open up the back yard even more.