Monday, January 5, 2009

A Trip to the Mighty Mississippi

Deciding what to do over the weekend resulted in a trip to the border. The state of Illinois' west ridge boundary stops at the Mississippi River. A great avenue for bald eagles, the trip took 3 hours to make.



Any chicagoland birder can tell you Locks 13 and 14 will produce hundreds of eagles, numbers peaking in January and February. I counted 99 in this image.



The sky was perfect! The temperature was not!



Our first stop was lock 14 where, believe it or not, the parking lot provides the closest views. This shot proves the theory.



It was a great day and well worth the trip, although I couldn't get home fast enough, it was a long thaw getting home.
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17 comments:

  1. RichardJanuary 5, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    Only thing I can say is "WOW".

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  2. EveJanuary 5, 2009 at 9:58 AM

    That is just awesome! I'm so glad you went!

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  3. Ruth's Photo BlogJanuary 5, 2009 at 10:17 AM

    There are few words to describe this.Awesome!Your pictures are so-o-o beautiful.
    Blessings,Ruth

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  4. Melissa WeisbardJanuary 5, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    Great photos of the eagles!

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  5. Dawn FineJanuary 5, 2009 at 12:37 PM

    Wow..I had no idea all those Eagles would congregate together like that..
    I have allot to learn for sure.
    thanks for you nice blog..i am enjoying it!

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  6. TinaJanuary 5, 2009 at 5:17 PM

    This was a remarkable post, Hannibal! I know you have seen a great number of eagles before..but 99+ is amazing.. I was so excited at seeing two last summer. Sooo glad you made the trip! Thanks!

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  7. The BirdladyJanuary 5, 2009 at 5:44 PM

    You know, we often have good sightings in parking lots - We saw a gallery a few months ago from a photographer who makes all his shots from parking lots - and he, like you, had some wonderful images.

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  8. MarshaJanuary 5, 2009 at 7:36 PM

    These shots are just so wonderful! I just couldn't imagine being there and looking across the river and seeing 99 bald eagles. I clicked the photo bigger and was so thrilled to see them look like they are growing on trees like apples! I just love visiting here.

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  9. jalynn01January 6, 2009 at 8:00 AM

    Awesome! Can't even imagine seeing that many Eagles at one time. I love the close up in the tree with the mouth open! You get the most wonderful pictures Hannibal. I'm so glad you endured the cold...

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  10. ShelleyJanuary 6, 2009 at 10:17 AM

    Exhilarating and beautiful photos! I love the one where it looks like the eagle is flying up towards the sky like a jet.

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  11. EdJanuary 6, 2009 at 10:53 AM

    Very Nice!!!

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  12. troutbirderJanuary 6, 2009 at 2:23 PM

    99 eagles... unbelievable!

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  13. Gone2theDawgsJanuary 8, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    We get many eagles on our rivers here in WA....not sure if they've ever counted 99+ in one location!! Amazing!!

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  14. Stacey OlsonJanuary 8, 2009 at 9:03 PM

    Looks like a wonderful place to visit... thanks for sharing

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  15. Gardener's GardenJanuary 10, 2009 at 2:12 PM

    Wowzer...99 plus and I seldom see even one and I LOVE your new heador!

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  16. SalixJanuary 14, 2009 at 10:56 AM

    I am not a birder - but can certainly understand that you can get hooked. WOW, beautiful.....

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  17. Nick SJanuary 16, 2009 at 7:01 AM

    wonderful shots of the Baldie my friend :-)
    Love that close up of the youngster.

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