Wingsday in Decorah
From RRP:
April 15, 2024: Left to right: DNF, DN17, DN18. DN17 is a little farther ahead in feather development
right now, but if she is a female and he is a male, he might surpass her as their juvenile feathers
come in. We'll look for clues to sex as the two grow and change.
April 15, 2024: Pinfeathers! You can see three types of feathers in this shot: white dandelion
puffs of natal down, grey thermal down, and juvenile feathers unfurling from their keratin sheaths.
April 15, 2024: Sweet eaglet dreams! DN18 and DN17 slumber blissfully in the nest, rocked to
sleep by birdsong and the gentle swaying of the tree.
April 15, 2024: The eaglets' feet have grown large enough to stand on and their middle toes will
provide balance and traction: think crampons or studs! It won't be long before they are walking
on their feet instead of shuffling on their tarsi!
April 15, 2024: DN18 pants in the bright sunlight. The eaglets pant, sprawl, and seek their
parents' shade to cool off and get away from the sun.