Eagles - January 1999
Sitting On a Branch
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Let me share with you a short trip we made on the 16th of January, 1999. It was really something special. Saturday morning it dawned partly cloudy and the temperatures were definitely rising. Phia'd heard the eagles were gathering up on the Mississippi River and decided it was a good day to drive up and see them. On that count, she was dead on. We drove up to Alton, IL (where we came across the River) and then headed up the River Road. It is really a beautiful drive just about anytime of the year. The road sits between the river and limestone cliffs or palisades. The river was entirely ice covered and from time to time we could see eagles out on the ice. People were stopped along the way to watch and spot the eagles with binoculars and cameras. We headed on though and went to Grafton, IL a neat, old river town right on the river. Again, we saw a few eagles there on the ice. At this point, we headed up to the Brussels Ferry (a free ferry across the River to the Missouri side.) Parked in the lot there and were treated to several eagles, mostly in the trees across the way or on the ice.
Over the Water
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After the ferry, we continued north. It was a beautiful day for the drive. The skies cleared quite a bit and the sun on the snow and on the ice in the river was spectacular. It was especially pretty looking at the hills with the stark outlines of the trees contrasting with the snow underneath them. We came upon an access road to get to a waterfowl area and decided to drive back on it and see what we could see. The road went back about a mile to a parking area where we left the car and headed on towards the river on foot. The day had warmed to the mid-40's by then, so it was fairly pleasant. The ice-covered snow was interesting to walk on. Sometimes it would support our weight and sometimes it would just cave in. We had the place to ourselves the whole time and as we walked further and further back towards the river, it was quieter and quieter. At first we were not sure if we would actually see anymore eagles. But after about a half-hour, Phia spotted one in a distant tree. They are quite distinctive as they sit in a tree. So, we headed in that direction and discovered we could make our way to the river. Of course, we had to cross the ice on a backwater, but it was plenty thick and easily supported us. As we came around a bend, we looked up and saw a tree-full of eagles across the river, and two lone eagles in trees just a hundred yards from us. So, we found a log to sit on and just savored the view for 10 or 15 minutes. It was so peaceful and lovely. In the end, the two eagles took off (pretty amazing sight to see an eagle fly.) So we got up and continued towards the river. We could hear water rushing and when we got there we found an open spot which explained the eagles and all the gulls and ducks in the area. We also spotted a second tree-full of eagles. Altogether, there were at least 20 eagles just in that spot. And we were there alone to enjoy the sight! There were also several 10's of gulls and few ducks to add to the scene. Just captivating! As we left the bank of the river (actually a levee) we happened to see some eagle tracks in the snow! Now that was really impressive.
Sun on the Wings
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It is an amazing thing to realize these eagles that come here year after year fly all the way down from Northern Canada, thousands of miles from here. And generation after generation it goes on. Of course, it is because the fishing is good for them and (as Phia told me) this is the first (or last, depending on where you are coming from) part of the river that is generally open of ice all winter. Go much further north on the River and it can freeze up solid.
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Last updated on 2 December 1999/Jay Gannett