It's January--eagle time in Alton (photos)

[conniecat]

[size=x-large]Yep, time for the eagles to come winter in St Louis. I had a RH Dr appt this afternoon, so I made an early day of it and went to Alton for photos. The mighty, muddy, Mississippi was frozen in the shallows.[/size]



[size=x-large]It started out a beautiful sunny day, but the eagles were being shy. There were quite a few around, but they stayed far away.[/size]





[size=x-large]There were a lot of geese, coming and going, and some trumpeter swans, too.[/size]










[size=x-large]I call this one waiting for the Robert E Lee[/size]



[size=x-large]There was even a blue heron, from the back you can see how he got his name.[/size]



[size=x-large]These bird, mostly sea gulls, were down by the locks. But what the heck is that on the left? I blew up the photo, but still couldn't tell. It is too big for a gull.[/size]



[size=x-large]
Speaking of gulls, there were hundreds of them.[/size]

























[size=x-large]
I just thought this one was funny. It will make a good captions photo later, I'll give you time to think of a good one![/size]



[size=x-large]My beautiful blue sky was disappearing as our winter storm was coming in. This is 1 o'clock!






And it was almost time for my appt, so I had to leave, but I made one more run to the dam on the way out, and finally, paydirt!.[/size]







[size=x-large]I will make another trip up there in the near future, as soon as I save up for more gas, lol.[/size]

 

[Whimsy]

Connie, I just know if you can hit a good day when the eagles are moving you will get the shot that will win that contest!

I am trying to talk DH into taking me on Wednesday to see them. It's his day off. Did you watch them from the Missouri or Illinois side? My sister and I stopped by the Melvin Price center and they showed us thru a scope where they were in the trees across the river on the Missouri side. The guy said a good spot was over by the parking area before you get on the Clark Bridge. I was also told at Pierre Marquet Lodge there are some good spots to watch.

Enjoyed your photos as usual.

 

[Jill B]

Great pics connie, thanks.
Don't those birds get cold feet and behinds sitting on that ice? bbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[conniecat]

Jill, sure looks cold to me!

Whimsy, I went to the dam on the MO side, then drove down under the bridge to the boat ramps on the lake, I started out on the Ill side at the dam. There weren't any even in the big nest by the highway. I was told there were a lot up by the Brussels Ferry, but I didn't have time to drive that far. I will just have to go again. If I remember right, it was later last year when I saw so many. I hope I get a photo for the contest, none of these would do.

 

[beckyw]

There were lots of eagles there on Sunday. We couldn't believe how many were there when we went by around 7:30 Sunday morning. They truly are majestic creatures.

 

[Corky]

Nice!! Thanks Conniecat for sharing your day with us!

 

[BostonsJ]

Wow the birds sure look cold! Thanks for sharing I hope you can get those Eagle shots next time!

 

[reggae]

Wow, those are some great photos, Connie. That new camera (and of course the photographer) is amazing!

I've never seen eagles around here, only when we went to Alaska. You're lucky to have them so close, and getting those pictures too.

 

[nieciez]

Great pics Connie. Thanks for sharing them with us.

 

[rooy]

i SO enjoy your pics, connie. thanks.