big bird

big bird

January 28, 2015

This week's challenge selection is big bird by Fishing Guy. Check out my pals for their interpretations on this theme: Fishing Guy, Katney, Imac, Lew, and Christine Anne.

Our friend Tom picked this week's theme, and it came at a good time, too! Saturday was Eagle Day at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. That's an hour and twenty minutes West of my home. For Eagle Day, it's all hands on deck. They have a good crowd of people show up to view a nice variety of exhibits and presentations. The biggest draw though, is that in the coldest temps, this is the eagles' winter home from up North. After Alaska, Illinois is said to have the most bald eagles. I have never seen one in the wild though, because I grew up in Chicago and haven't spent much time in less urban areas. I grabbed a sturdy tripod and a 400mm Tokina lens and my wife and I spent the day out there.

The Bald Eagle is my favorite big bird, but this was more than just an eagle watch. Friday was our 27th wedding anniversary, so it was a time to just get away together.

From the lodge, we walked to the edge of the Illinois River.

There were three eagles in one tree across the river at the Plum Island Sanctuary.

I tried to get as sharp a pic as possible, then cropped a lot away to get a "closer" look at this amazing bird.

But there were other birds to see along the way! ...Not as big, though.

These smaller birds were much closer than the eagles, and I got them with the same 400mm lens, handheld.

A scenic day out with my wife. Seeing the Bald Eagle for the first time. How could it get any better? How 'bout the lowest gas prices I have seen in many years!! This was about half way between Utica and Bolingbrook.