Much More Than Eagles

 Richard got a new camera to photograph the Bald Eagles.

But there is so much more beauty and wildlife to appreciate and photograph.

We went back to the River at the Lock and Dam.

The River was not frozen any more and there was no snow. 

Just some floating ice and a few Bald Eagles.
It was the Great River Bald Eagles Days so the viewing platform was open for us...

This is Lock and Dam 21. The Bald Eagles are on the other side of the Dam.

In this photo there are eagles perched on logs on the side of the dam and a few on ice.
Looking closer it appears this is the "Nursery"

And they were all taking baths

This is the Lock... where boats go through the Dam.

There is an eagle sitting on the ice ...

We watched the eagles from the platform for a while but there were too many people and too much noise so the eagles didn't come close.

 We saw this one catch a fish ... which is in it's talons in the next photo ~

  We went back every day and since there was no snow we were able to walk down to the edge of the River and get some beautiful pictures.

In the background of this picture is the Bridge.
While Richard was taking pictures of the eagles I was getting pictures of the Bridges.

Richard got some really amazing photos of the Bald Eagles...

And I took pictures of the River.

Am I the only one who sees a heart in that reflection?

That is Richard sitting on the rocks getting photos of eagles in the trees.

~

Do you see a tree... or a head? ...

Once you see the head you can't "un-see" it ... lol. (The roots are the hair)

Isn't this one of the most beautiful pictures you've ever seen? 

But I also love the herons and they were there too.
We watched as one dove into the water to catch a fish...

And swallowed it whole...

And fly off...

And with his new camera Richard got this beautiful photo...

It's been quite an experience to see the herons and the eagles sharing the trees.

I sat and watched this young Bald Eagle for a long time waiting to get a picture of him in flight. Richard walked up close to him and he just sat there watching us...

 Finally...

We were intrigued by these "ducks" (?) ...

Common Merganser
With brown heads and "bad hair" feathers. They swim around with their faces underwater.
And they run on the water when they take off...

We've been able to watch the eagles bathe...

He jumped in and out of the water here rinsing off his talons... And he was communicating with another eagle.
We have also been able to watch them clean their beaks...

Sometimes they are just funny...

Apparently they don't all like to share their branch

We feel so lucky to be able to see and photograph all these things.
We are learning so much about the Bald Eagles and all of nature.

And when the sun goes down there are the incredible sunsets...

So that is the end of January.

~

I am putting all of our photos on Patty Hagedorn Photography in albums.
If you want to see more of the Bald Eagles, the Herons, the Mississippi River,
and the world around us go to
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patty-Hagedorn-Photography/629150070438274?ref=hl