Day Trippin' around Lake Pepin (Mississippi river)

[RNKIII]

WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!  61 degrees, high thin clouds and, quite literally, 100's of American Bald and Golden Eagles.

Ann and I decided that as she had no sub duties and I wasn't scheduled to drive for Ford, that we would take a 'day trip' to view the Eagles that are now gathered on the Mississippi River between Red Wing and Wabasha, MN.   Left home about 10:30 and got to Redwing about 12....  Started down the "Great River Road" that runs along the MN. side of the Mis....(You know it by now)...  Could see ones or twos out on the river ice... center is 'open' so that is where they make their catch, then come back to the ice, land and dine....   Just above Lake City, which is at the northern end of Lake Pepin ("Home of Water Skiing") we saw many 'groups'  of 5 - 7 on the ice...  In Lake City we wound our way through the city dry dock/winter storage area and wound up right at the river's edge with numerous groups and singles not 50 to 100 yards away on the ice.... GREAT VIEWING WITH BINOCULARS!!!  What HUGE and graceful birds they are.
Continued on down stream to Wabasha, MN. (home of the "National Eagle Center") but didn't stop in there as there were numerous tour busses lined up and we'd seen many more on the way...   Younger (dark headed) balds liked to gather in groups and 'pick' on one another on the high sand/dredge banks in the river... and then swoop down on their buddies from above when they'd land on the river edge with their latest catch and try to 'share' some of their good fortune.  Older ones were in singles and pairs... and many are already nesting as we saw numerous nests / piles with one on and one near.
Crossed the river at Wabasha and drove back north on the Wisconsin side....  Many motorcyclists and numerous top-down convertibles were out on the WI side as that is the 'sunny' side of the river... the MN side being shaded by the high bluffs.
Returned to MN at Red Wing and enjoyed a great lunch at the "Historic St. James Hotel" over looking the river from the dining room...  All in all, a great day trip and viewing opportunity...  
This gathering happens each spring just as the ice is opening up.... High water is to pass through this area of the river in the next week or so, and that will 'flush' much of the ice out and make 'fly fishing' difficult for the eagles, so they will continue dispersing northward as the lakes and streams open up there.

Just thought I'd share.

Bob K.   rnkiii

[kimmer]

Sounds like a great day. Soon the eagles and the osprey will be getting their nests into shape -- and then they'll fly overhead and circle for food. Always gorgeous to watch.

[Xairbusdriver]

Thanks for the virtual trip! Seems the Eagles like the "cooler" weather than down here. But we do have a great reserve about 50 miles North, along he somewhat wider Mighty Muddy (thanks to the folks in IN, OH, PA, WV, KY. OK, also IL, MO, IA, too). With so much more wilderness around the river, they are not always as concentrated as it sounds up there. Just makes seeing them that much more amazing!

Very occasionally see one near the house (in the urban area), mostly we see red-tailed hawks and 'turkey vultures.' So far, the herons haven't bothered our wee fishes, besides, they'd have too get within ~8 feet of the house. Just took the screening off the pond today, we'll be running the pump while the Sun is out. Got up to 65 today, maybe 71 tomorrow. Many trees and shrubs already blooming! Won't be able to get a head/tail count until I get the water cleared up...still amazes me that those critters can stay under water for so long...

[krissel]

Nice monologue with good imagery! Thanks.

Just yesterday I was heading to my folks' house and a large bird flew in front of the car. At first I thought it might be an eagle but as I followed the silhouette to the ground I realized it was just a large turkey. It joined about 8 others on someone's lawn.
Dinner?

[Jack W]

Bob,

 

Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a great Spring day.

And, what a trip.

I see an occasional Bald Eagle here in the Cuyahoga Valley.

There are at least 2 nests, not too far from the Towpath.

Also, the Great Blue Herons are back in full force at 3-4 heronries in the Valley.

What a site to watch. There is one heronry on the South side of Bath Road near the river. There are over a 100 nests there. The NPS has made a parking and viewing area on the North side of Bath Rd. Lots of people parking and gawking.

It's fun to watch them soar around and bring twigs and other nest makin's back.

- Jack

[chriskleeman]

Quite inspiring missive Mr. Kenward!

We've had our share of fine weather here over the last week, now, it's back to reality, rain, rain and snow, and MUD!!!

No eagles around my house, but I did see a flying wedge of Canada Geese headed north the other day! Most of the Bald Eagles around here are nesting on the Connecticut River a few miles away, usually get to see them in the late Spring when the motorcycle comes out!

CK