28th Annual Bald Eagle Watch
Today was the 28th annual bald eagle watch at lock and dam #11 in Dubuque. The dam keeps the Mississippi river from freezing over which gives the eagles a place to fish during the winter months, and a great place for photographers to get photos of eagles hunting. We saw a total of 4 eagles, and they were all pretty active. There is a covered overlook onto the dam that they had some park rangers and volunteers with binoculars for people for this event. It was only 17 degrees Fahrenheit outside and it was a little windy so we didn't stay outside for a very long period of time. We would stand outside and look at the birds for 5-10 minutes and then sit in the warm car for a little bit while our fingers and faces warmed up.
Soaring Through the Sky
Flying Behind
This is one of two photos I got of two eagles flying together. Every time the eagles were sitting there were 2 that were alone, and 2 that were together. These must be the two that were sitting together. Since they sat together I was surprised they didn't fly together.
Lock #11
This is lock #11 along the Mississippi river. Katherine and I have never been down here before, but we have been up a little higher in Eagle Point Park. But this just gave us a different vantage point.
Flying Above the Dam
I wish I had a better telephoto lens because this photo would be great blown up. The eagle on the right is yelling to the other eagle.
Long Fingers
I thought it was cool that the eagles had long feathers at the end of their wings that resembled fingers.
Bright Blue Skies
It was probably a perfect day for taking photos of the eagles because of the perfect blue skies and the temperature (17 degrees fahrenheit and not too windy).
Mid Flight
Full Wingspan
I got several photos of eagles flying overhead. I was excited I got so many good ones!
Screech
Once the eagles started moving I was able to get some good shots! They flew overhead of Katherine and I, probably only 30-40 feet above us.
Waiting
This eagle was perched in the tree when we got there and was screeching to the other 3 birds in the area for about 30 minutes before they all decided to fly over the dam to look for food.
Through the Trees
This was the first eagle that Katherine and I spotted. I went up into the overlook to see if the elevation would get me a better vantage point
Landing
Minnesota Raptor Center Program
After we went and saw the eagles in the wild we went to the Grand River Center to watch this guy tell us all about raptors, and showed us a red tailed hawk, an American kestrel falcon, a great horned owl, and a bald eagle.
From the Deck
Every time that Katherine and I walk along the riverwalk we notice a deck coming off the Grand River Center that we want to go on. It off of a big glass room that is always set up for weddings. It's always locked but this time we were able to go out and see the river from a different perspective
Grand River Center Edge
This was taken from the vantage point of the previous photo, but the opposite direction
