Thanks Marion for letting me watch the eagles on your computer. I tried on mine and did get a picture but it takes too long for it to load on my dial up that I give up! By the way, do you want your pot back?

Congratulations, Kristi...they are so much fun to watch, and so beautiful. But Brute, I think they are a PERFECT national emblem. They are so gorgeous and proud looking. And as for being "felonius robbers," well...that works for me, too. Just means they will fit right in with the "national" crowd in Washington! Seriously, in nature, animals will steal anything they can get, if they are strong enough and fast enough to take it. I've even seen turkeys (Ben Franklin's choice for national bird) fighting over food and the faster, stronger one wins. That's just the way of the natural world. But don't think eagles depend on stealing for all their meals. I've watched them hunting and fishing many times, and they are very good at it. They just don't see the need, apparently, if another bird happens by with a fresh caught fish. That's just opportunism, as is eating roadkill. Long live the eagles. AND the ospreys. AND the vultures. And the whole gang, feathered, furred or scaled. They've got it worked out between them, and when we leave them alone, they usually do just fine. Marcia

I'm afraid I don't see how someone can do things such as that and not realize what they're doing or seeing. I do believe it's probably just part of a culture that he was raised in, but something's gotta be missing inside with people who can do those sorts of things and not have it register somewhere. I also don't think someone can just change that type of thinking so Quickly. Maybe there are intense programs in prison? It just doesn't seem too plausible to me. It would take a lot of time and reprogramming to reach that point, imo. Hopefully he's at least on his way. I did not see the interview to really see how much progress he claims to have made. I also don't understand the connection to NFL, with regards to people's outrage. I can sort of see what people are saying, but I still see them as separate. I don't believe in shunning or bullying people. He's out of prison now, as far as punishment goes, and he needs to move on. Hopefully forward. If someone wants to hire him, then that's their business. I don't see it as some sort of a reward for bad behavior. Apparently he does what he does well, so that's why he's back. I'm not sure why his salary was reduced as it was -- from ~$134 million down to ~$1.6 million (the numbers may not be completely accurate). Specifically why? To offset potential losses due to public outrage? Cause they could manage to keep a whole lot of money? It's really not their job to punish him further, so I don't quite get that. But, what I think would have been really great, since they did reduce his salary, is if they had put all that money to good use working on animal protection and rights. $132 million. It would have been demonstrable if he'd actually offered to do it, but still quite something if the NFL had, as their own statement and support.

I saw one here last Monday. Unbelievable. I wonder if they will nest early. The eagle cam we have in this area has been showing a fight over a nest between eagles and owls. Here is a link that might be useful: Decorah eagles