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Eagles in Iowa?


william_h._wiley

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<p>Any advice on good locations to photograph bald eagles in Iowa? I've been to the Squaw Creek <br />Wildlife Refuge and want to try somewhere else. I've have heard that there are places along the Mississippi River that are great. Anything around Clinton or Davenport? I've heard Prairie du Chien mentioned, but don't know anything about it.<br>

Thanks, Bill</p>

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<p>I've taken photos at the 151 crossover from Dubuque to Wisconsin at Eagles Point Park right on the Mississippi River. The photos I took were late in the winter as the waters were beginning to thaw and creating open water for the eagles to fish.<br /><br />Happy (photo) Shooting!</p>
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<p>The water just below lock and dam in Dubuque (and I would assume this is true for all other dams along the river) never freezes so bald eagles are quite active there. Last year (?) public access was restricted near the dam itself due to construction, I'm not sure if that's still the case.</p>

<p>Some googling should turn up a number of winter events in IA and IL along the Mississippi for eagle watching.</p>

 

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<p>There are bald eagles many places along the Mississippi between Prairie-du-chein and Keokuk (and south), but swamps block access to the river. Look especially near the roller dams, particularly #14 (LeClair, IA) and #15 (Rock Island, IL). The river is always ice-free below the dams where the eagles can find fish. The best viewing is on the Illinois side at #14 and the Iowa side at #15. There is a small museum at the boat locks on Arsenal Island (Dam #15) where you can get up-to-date eagle viewing information.</p>

<p>Prairie-du-chein sounds interesting, however it is very hilly on the Iowa side and swampy on the Illinois/Wisconsin side. I haven't been there in winter. Access is sometimes limited in parks in order to protect the eagles. (Food is in short supply, and causing them to take wing is exhausting for them).</p>

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<p>I work on the Miss. river and I second the info. that around the locks and dams eagles are usually present, also I see them all along the banks, if possible a boat ride in any of the pools would be great. Once the river starts icing up areas around barge fleets can be good where the tugs keep things stirred up, and where factories discharge, my guess is the discharge attracts or kills baitfish which can draw in eagles.</p>
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<p>Thanks for the info. I have something to go from now and I'll do some Googles about the areas mentioned. Nice to not start from stratch. <br>

I should have mentioned that I've been to Desoto several times and was always disappointed - never saw many eagles and they were always far away. The bird watchers got excited to see an eagles across the wide river, which was far too distant for pictures. The place also had a lot of restricted areas, which limited looking for other critters (deer, etc.). <br>

Anyway, I'll be heading to one of the places mentioned after checking them out. <br>

Thanks again, Bill Wiley</p>

 

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<p>That's more places for me to consider. I live in Lincoln NE so I have to consider how long it takes to get to locations, but at the same time, I don't want to go somewhere where there aren't good photo ops. Catch-22. <br>

Thanks for the info. I'm pulling out my map again tonight and checking things out. <br>

Bill<br>

www.WmWiley.com</p>

<p> </p>

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<p>William,</p>

<p>I recommend this site for info on Iowa eagle counts: <a href="http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missriver/">http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missriver/</a></p>

<p>There's a lot of info to help you plan your visit. In particular, if you click "2009 Bald Eagle Watching" at the above page, and then "Lock & Dam Eagle Counts 2009," you will see weekly-updated info on eagle concentrations at the various locks an dams along the Iowa Mississippi.</p>

<p>

<p>Good luck with your trip!</p>

</p>

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<p>William:</p>

<p>Since you're in Lincoln, you're not terribly far away from Yankton, SD. Many times there are eagles there during the winter on the Missouri. Yankton is challenging in that it's hard to get a clean background for your shot. Fort Randall Dam, outside Pickstown, SD is another good location. I was there last February, and saw about two dozen eagles. Heard that the weekend before I went there were hundreds.</p>

<p>I'm going back to make a couple trips back there again in January. The colder it is, the better chances of seeing lots and lots of eagles is what I've been told. :)</p>

<p>Eric</p>

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<p><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/Owner/LOCALS~1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<blockquote>

<p>I recommend this site for info on Iowa eagle counts: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missriver/" target="_blank">http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missriver/</a><br>

There's a lot of info to help you plan your visit. In particular, if you click "2009 Bald Eagle Watching" at the above page, and then "Lock & Dam Eagle Counts 2009," you will see weekly-updated info on eagle concentrations at the various locks an dams along the Iowa Mississippi.</p>

<p>Good luck with your trip!</p>

<p> </p>

</blockquote>

<p>That Corps site is very useful. I live in the area (Quad Cities) and situations like these are almost everyday events. In fact, on my way home, I see a biologist/naturalist/conservationist with a spotting scope out counting the eagles as they head to their roosting areas in the evening.</p>

<p><img src="http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missriver/bedweb/EaglebyWN3.jpg" alt="Eagles on the Miss" width="493" height="346" /></p>

<p>The populations are a little more plentiful a little further south, however. L&D 14 & 15 isn't great, but they're always there. 15 is in the middle of town with very few nearby spots to roost, so if you want trees in the background, avoid this one. 16 and 17 are your best bets IMO.</p>

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