We would like to introduce you to Independence, a female bald Eagle also known as “Indy” who resides in the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary in Dollywood.  Indy arrived at the American Eagle Foundation in May of 1994, at that time she was still recovering from an infection in wounds to her left wingtip.  Her condition required rehabilitation and recovery time to heal and get her strength back.  Once healed being a non-releasable bird she was then moved to the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary. Indy is landing on the branch while Franklin is standing guard.
In April 2000 Indy and a male bald Eagle at the sanctuary named Franklin chose each other as mates, when the eagles had fully bonded they were then moved to their own separate breeding aviary.  In the first year together Indy did not lay any eggs, however in spring of 2002 the pair laid their first set of eggs.  Both Franklin and Indy took turns caring for their eggs, one egg was infertile but the other hatched on May 9^th and the baby was healthy.  Indy and Franklin proved to be good parents and good care of their baby for about 8 weeks.  At that time the eaglet was moved to an artificial nesting tower on Douglas Lake in East Tennessee and was released at 12 weeks of age.
Indy and Franklin are now nurturing three eggs in their nest at the Dollywood sanctuary.  Indy laid her 1^st egg on March 24^th the second on March 27^th and the third on March 31^st.  To ensure the safety of both the Eagles and the eggs the American Eagle Foundation has installed a webcam on their nest.
To help support the American Eagle Foundation, Come Fly with the Eagles has officially adopted Indy and will be doing the same for Franklin shortly.  For more information on adopting birds of prey and ways to help support the American Eagle Foundation visit them at www.eagles.org
 
We will be following Indy and Franklin during this adventure of hatching and nurturing their young.   Visit the link below to take a look, they really are very amazing birds!
 
Indy and Franklin’s nest cam