Bald Eagle Days

A Bald Eagle roosting high
above the Wisconsin River.
1/6/2018  dwm photo

One benefit of the string of cold weather days from December 22 to January 6 (high temp not reaching 20 degrees); is the cold forces Bald Eagles to find open water.

While this coming weekend is celebrating Eagle Days in the sister cities of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac the birds have been wintering there for a while.

The open water of the Wisconsin River, especially below the hydroelectric dam, gives the majestic birds something to eat in the cold water.

My five trips to Sauk Prairie, as the communities are  collectively known, the last two years have been in similar bone-chilling weather.  Saturday's high was 8, last January 7 reached 5 degrees.

Notice the two eagles upper right
a good 20 feet above the river.
1/6/2018   dwm photo

Just before sunrise is when I arrived, for two reasons.  The first hour of daylight is when the birds are most active and the conditions for taking pictures are the best.

It was below zero when we arrived at an eagle viewing area.  The water below the dam was ice free.  In fact, it surprised me none of the Wisconsin River.

Layers of fog came off the water like steam from a sauna.  I reminded myself this water was as far from freezing as possible.

You could see the beauty downstream where the fog left its mark covering everything it contacted with a layer of crystal.

Sun came up at 7:31, shortly after the rays painted a beautiful picture across the sky and the landscape.

A Bald Eagle in flight.  1/6/2018    dwm photo

The Eagles roosting in the tree (above photo) may have been conserving heat and energy, but they didn't move much.

When I put the car in gear for a new location there was some movement as a friend showed up.  Despite the tangle of trees and branches, it was a wondrous sight.

4 Eagles - 2 mature and 2 immature
share a roost.  1/6/2018  dwm

At the next riverside park, we saw the shape of an eagle high in a tree.  I'd estimate the bird was at least 30 feet, or 3 stories above the ground.

A bit further upstream in the same park, I saw several distinctive shapes.  Three when we approached, then another flew in.

In warm weather, Bald Eagles have their own territory, but congregate in winter when resources are scarce.

Waiting to mature - the young
eagle hangs around.  1/6/18  dwm

Bald Eagles aren't really bald.  The old meaning of the word bald is "white headed."

I enjoy Bald Eagles.  Hopefully, they are not taken for granted.  In the 1950s, the Bald Eagle population was down to 412 nesting pairs.  The bird recovered beautifully thanks to conservation efforts and outlawing DDT herbicide which affected the eagles ability to breed.

In the 1970s and 80s, it was unusual to see a Bald Eagle in the wild, today it isn't rare but remains special.

I'm not alone.  Hundreds will flock to Sauk Prairie this weekend to admire the bird symbolizing our country's strength.

The Eagle eye.  1/6/2018  dwm

If you go, be patient and observe quietly.  At several of the observation areas, you will likely arrive in a vehicle - guests are asked to stay in their car.

Cars don't frighten eagles, but people do.  Experts urge Eagle watchers to stay in their cars near the dam where the birds do most their feeding.

Bald Eagles are reclusive when it comes to building their nest and raising a family.  Speaking of family, Bald Eagles start breeding early and laying eggs by late February.

If you're interested in the chicks, there are webcams which monitor nests without disturbing them.  They start coming out of their shell by late April.  Since it's almost impossible to know where you might see a Bald Eagle in warm weather, it is nice to know a closer look is possible in the cold.