Eaglefest!

An eagle floating backwards down the Illinois River. RT McDonald photo.

We went on a mini-vacation last week to the area around Alton, Illinois with the express goal of seeing eagles. According to both anecdotal remarks from friends ("There's a lot of eagles there in January") and online research ("The eagles love to float down the river on the ice."), there were sure to be lots of eagles who had flown south to escape the winter ice up north.

Well, as often happens, things were somewhat different than expected. For one thing, it's been much warmer than usual due to global warming (a reality and not, as my GOP friends might have you believe, a myth created by Al Gore). According to the official eagle guide at Pere Marquette State Park, the number of eagles was down by at least 50%. Nonetheless, I got to see enough eagles to make the three days a great success.

An eagle's eye view.

On Monday we left Springfield, turning south and driving down through Calhoun County, a magical part of Illinois cut off from the rest of the state by the Mississippi River on the west and the Illinois River on the east. The otherworldly nature of this rolling area is enhanced by the fact that several ferries bring cars over the rivers -- so much more poetic than bridges. 

We glimpsed our first eagle along the Illinois River in Calhoun County north of Kampsville, peering out of an enormous nest and haughtily ignoring the passing traffic. After that we saw eagles all the way to Pere Marquette State Park, where we were staying in a cabin and took advantage of a Bald Eagle Special for $79 which included 2 glasses of wine and $10 off a meal in the lodge restaurant.  Now that's a good deal!

Ron and pelicans

Ron took pictures along the Illinois River in the twilight.   There were no eagles, but three pelicans swam up the river and headed somewhere onshore for the night. Lovely...

Eagles hang out in a tree.

After a night of wine drinking in the awe-inspiring lodge, we rose early to catch the bald eagle tour led free by the state guide (it never ceases to amaze me the free services given out by the state). An informative talk/video (did you know that the national bird was almost the turkey?) was followed by a several hour caravan through prime eagle territory, including one stop below Lock and Dam 25 on the Mississippi, where a whole bunch of eagles seemed to be taking a break on a tree. The trip ended at an establishment called The Barefoot Bar in Hardin overlooking the Illinois River. I had a yummy lunch of chicken livers and Dr. Pepper, which later disagreed with me and sent me for considerable quality time in the restroom of the Hardin Shell station. 

We caught dinner at Fast Eddie's in Alton where the hamburgers are 99 cents and the beers are $3.70 (and you are required to have a drink). Still a good deal. 

Me at the cabin at Pere Marquette

Midway through the night, we awoke to scurrying and scratching sounds from the general vicinity of our attic. The wildlife had decided to get warm. Oh well, that's what you get when you bunk in a state park.  More alarming were the yells next morning around 8 outside our door when the convicts started trimming the bushes. Although I pleaded with him, Ron refused to take a photo of the group with their armed guard. Now that's a photo op!

An eagle as big as a building!

It was raining  and no eagles were in view, except for this large blow-up one outside the Melvin Price Locks and Dam.  We headed home. It was a wonderful vacation though, but it has not quenched my desire for our magestic national symbol!