Posts Tagged ‘bald eagles’

Sauk Prairie’s Bald Eagle Watching Days are coming soon! Events will be held on Friday Evening, January 13 & all day Saturday, January 14 throughout Sauk City & Prairie du Sac, WI.  For more information just check out the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council’s list of events. Click here.

While it might be a bit early to confirm that Bald Eagles have returned to Baraboo for the winter, this is certainly a good sign.  Yesterday we came across an eagle sitting in a tree where I’d photographed an eagle (same one?) many times  last year.   You may remember that it made quite a news story near the end of December last year when Bald Eagles began to gather along the Baraboo River near Circus World Museum here in Baraboo.  There was some debate at the time as to whether this sudden appearance of eagles was due to a colder than usual winter or a sign that the population was growing and expanding their winter search for open water.  The arrival of this guy, might be a vote for option number two.  We’ll  be watching to see if more eagles show up in the days head.

Last year we mapped out a  driving a route I’ve dubbed the “Eagle Loop”.  The 2 mile loop encircles a section of the Baraboo river and offers you the best access to the areas where the the eagles have been hanging out.

** Update** There were 6 Bald Eagles on the loop this morning (12/7/2010). 4 Adults, 2 Juveniles.

The Eagle Loop

If you do plan on taking a drive up to see the eagles on the Baraboo river here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Bald Eagles are wild animals and not tourist attractions. They may or may not be here when you are.
2. Stay in your car at all times.  Use it as a “blind”. The eagles we’ve seen are very tolerant of cars. The road is at times very close to the river and the birds. You don’t need to get out of your car to see better or to take photos. Actions you take that disturb the birds and cause them to fly off only make them use what limited energy they have stored for the winter and put them at risk.
3. Do not make loud noises or otherwise harass the eagles. We want the eagles to feel comfortable, and of course return each winter.
4. Don’t throw food or otherwise litter.  Eagles don’t need popcorn!

Now, if you are really into Bald eagles you’ll want to visit Sauk-Prairie, Wisconsin for their annual “Eagle Days” event held January 15th & 16th 2010. There will be activities, learning programs, exhibits, food court and more.  Click here for more information.

More Related Links

• Ferry Bluff Eagle Council
• Wisconsin DNR Eagle Information

After years of planning and the enviable political nightmare that precedes any decisions made in our form of government, the state of Wisconsin’s representatives did something  increasingly rare, they made a good decision.  They voted to protect the Lower Wisconsin Riverway for us, and our children. That was now just over 20 years ago.

The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway encompasses a 93 mile stretch of the Wisconsin River from Prairie du Sac to Prairie du Chein, covering nearly 80,000 acres of river, bluffs,  islands and flood plains.  Since its establishment  1989 the region has become a major attraction to nature lovers and sportsmen alike.  Over 44,000 acres of state owned land offer opportunities for camping, hiking, hunting, skiing, horseback riding and all sort of outdoor endeavor. 93 miles of unbroken riverway offers one of the longest stretches of river open to boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing in the midwest. What’s more, all this activity is shared with the amazing wildlife of the area including of course the majestic American Bald Eagles that are commonly seen overhead.

FLOW Sponsored Lake Delton Clean Up Event

One of the groups instrumental in fighting to preserve this slice of Wisconsin for all of us was called the Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway.  The group went on a bit of a hiatus after winning the war so-to-speak  in 1989, but then came back to life when the member’s realized that the real work was just beginning.  In 1998 FLOW kicked off once more under the guidance of Timm Zumm and former DNR State Riverway Coordinator, Dave Gjeston with the goals of protecting the ecological integrity and public trust interests of the LWSR.

Over the last dozen years FLOW has done so much to protect and manage the Lower Wisconsin Riverway including everything from area clean ups to pollution investigations, that it will take another article or two to cover it all. Stay tuned…

What is important today however is that on Jan 31st the Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway will be hosting their first annual membership meeting since becoming an official Non-Profit Organization which means there will be much to discuss.  It’s also an opportunity for those of you interested in the preservation and protection of the Lower Wisconsin to become involved in this new stage of FLOW’s life.  What’s more the big shindig looks to be a great family event as well with a big bonfire, ski trails, horse drawn sleigh rides and more. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event. Especially the kids. Festivities start at noon and run until 9pm.  The first annual FLOW meeting will begin at 4pm.  There will be a heated shop for food, socializing and for the meeting.  Bring your own activity equipment, chairs, beverages and finger food to share.  At twilight the bonfire will kick off with the natural pyrotechnics last year’s Christmas trees.  Feel free to bring yours as well!

Directions

County Hwy C is just south of the Wisconsin River off of State Hwy 23. The property is approximately three miles west of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, near Lower Wyoming Road. Please park your vehicle along the side of the road and walk up to the building. Contact us before the event if you think an uphill trek is too difficult and you would prefer to have a ride up the driveway.

Side Notes:

RSVP requested to help us plan, but not required.

Are you available to help staff the event?
If yes, please contact Timm Zumm at: 608-575-0325
or email: wisriverfriends@yahoo.com

More Information:

FLOW on Facebook
Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board Website
KayakQuixotica photo story – Extreme Lower Wisconsin Paddling!

* Photographs reprinted with the kind permission of the Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway.

American Bald Eagle on the Baraboo River, Baraboo, Wisconsin.

Bald Eagle watching days are coming up in Sauk Prairie, Wisconsin beginning with a 7pm presentation by David Stokes called “Fun with Animals” on Friday, January 15th.  The following day, Saturday, January 16th, there will be a variety of exhibits and events around Sauk Prairie including presentations on eagle conservation efforts in Wisconsin, an Eagle Wine wine tasting at Wollershiem winery and hourly bus tours out to see the stars of the festival as well.  Every year the annual Eagle Watching Days festival offers a great opportunity for families to break the often claustrophobic habits of winter and just get out and enjoy nature and community.

Now, the guy in today’s picture is a Baraboo Eagle.  I took his portrait about an hour ago actually. I counted 15 in the 20 minutes or so I spent down by the river.  Suddenly this winter Sauk Prairie isn’t the only place to see these magnificent birds.

Related:

• 2010 Eagle Days Events
• Ferry Bluff Eagle Council
• Wisconsin DNR Eagle Information