Eagles on the Mississippi River

Last Saturday my friend and I drove to Lock and Dam 13 on the Mississippi, near Fulton, IL to see the eagles that have been reported in large numbers. We were not disappointed. More than 400 eagles were flying over the water, sitting on the ice, and perching in the trees across the river. It was so cold that we could only stay outside for a few minutes at a time before going back to the car to warm up. We crossed the river at Fulton and drove south to Lock and Dam 14 and 15. L&D 13 definitely had the most spectacular view of hundreds of eagles. We also saw many many Red-tailed Hawks as we drove through the Mississippi River Valley.

 

 

Eagles at Lock and Dam 15, Davenport, IA.

 

 

Eagles at Lock and Dam 14.

 

Mallard with a Fish.

 

 

Bald Eagles over Lock and Dam 13.

 

 

Immature Eagle at Lock and Dam 13.

 

Immature Bald Eagle.

 

 

Lock and Dam 13.

 

 

Eagles at Lock and Dam 13 on the Mississippi River.

Hawk over Moraine View State Park

 

 

 

Hawk flying over the grasslands along the entrance road to Moraine View State Park.

 

Red-tailed Hawk, resting in the tree over the alley behind our house.

Driving through the Illinois River Valley in January

 

Observation Tower at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes Restoration Project.

 

 

Bald Eagle on River Beach Drive.

 

View from Cooper Park -- Komatsu on the River Front.

 

Red-bellied Woodpecker at Cooper Park.

 

 

Beavers at Cooper Park are building a new damn to protect the main pond from the rising Illinois River waters. They have taken down several trees and are working on many others. We called the park district and they removed the tree from the boardwalk the next day.

 

 

 

Juvenile Bald Eagle. He was eating carrion in a field by the side of the road. He flew a few feet away as we slowed the car, but he went back to his meal as soon as we drove away.

 

 

Lacon Bridge.

 

 

 

Bald Eagle flying from a tree by the side of the highway.