Fly Eagle, Fly

Bald Eagle above the Wisconsin River.  1/8/2022 dwm photo

Since we moved back to Wisconsin in 2012, we've made at least one winter trip to the twin cities on the Wisconsin River, Prairie du Sac/Sauk City in search of their famous winter guests, Bald Eagles.

First eagle of the day.
1/8/22 (dwm)

The majestic raptors winter in Wisconsin, congregating around open water where they can hunt for food.  If the weather is extremely cold, well-below zero, lakes, streams, and rivers freeze over which makes the birds search for open water. 

The best place to find open water is below a dam.  That's the welcome mat in Sauk Prairie (the nickname for the small twin cities) where a hydroelectric dam spans the Wisconsin River.

Warm winters allow eagles to hunt and eat by themselves, which means only a few perch in trees above the mighty Wisconsin.

On some visits, there are plenty of eagles, but they didn't leave the tops of trees on the other side of the river.  That was especially an issue before I bought a longer lens.

Looking for lunch.
1/8/2022 dwm photo

  This year was our tenth trip and it was the best by far.

  We were along the river less than an hour after sunrise.  There weren't many other people out looking for the birds which meant more places to park and watch.  Eagle watchers are asked to stay in their cars while watching or taking pictures so the birds are frightened.

  At our second stop it didn't seem promising at first, but there were 10 - 15 birds in the trees plus hundreds of geese and ducks on the river.  

Heading toward us and their tree. 1/8/22 (dwm)

Soon, a couple Bald Eagles, mature and not, were swooping above the water, then circling a few times
15-feet above it before taking another run.  As I adjusted my position in the driver's seat, I kept my finger on the shutter and hoped a few shots would be in focus.

The created a gold streak across the water, sometimes making the white head and tail feathers even more brilliant than usual.  

I've never been this close to an eagle in flight, maybe 30 feet, as they executed fly-bys past our position, making this year's visit a perfect one.

Empty-handed, the Bald Eagle heads back to its tree. 1/8/2022 dwm photo

See more photos from our day on the river by clicking play: