Soaring in Siouxland on a Blustery Day, Gavins Point Dam, Yankton, SD

A bald eagle rides an air current near the spillway at Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River outside of Yankton, SD Tuesday , January 11, 2022. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I never realized living in Siouxland that there are so many areas where it’s possible to view bald eagles depending on the time of year. It is so fascinating watching them fish and soar and just hang out with their brethren as we mere human mortals watch them. While working for so many years in the area it never occurred to me to go check them out or find the places one could watch them. Duh. Other priorities and tasks awaited free time then.

An adult bald eagle sits in a tree over a parking lot near the spillway at Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River outside of Yankton, SD Tuesday , January 11, 2022. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I have photographed these creatures a few time in different places and probably have taken too too many photographs. Not all of which are stellar, or even close to other photographers’ images. But it’s a nice challenge and an enjoyable experience to see them up close and personal in a way, especially near Gavins Point Dam where the trees the birds roost in at times are almost if not quite eye level to places a person can stand, watch and photograph.

A bald eagle cry out from a tree overlooking the spillway at Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River outside of Yankton, SD Tuesday , January 11, 2022. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Another bald eagle comes in for a landing to a tree near the spillway at Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River outside of Yankton, SD Tuesday , January 11, 2022. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

From a nearby vantage point a person can watch bald eagles interact in a tree overlooking the spillway at Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River outside of Yankton, SD Tuesday , January 11, 2022. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And it’s a nice excuse to get out of the house, breathe some fresh air and watch some magnificent creatures in real life rather than on a nature show on the television, or online as well these days. Sometimes it’s those quick and fleeting moments that can bring joy, as these creatures don’t generally stay in one spot for long.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A bald eagle makes a landing on a blustery day in a tree overlooking the spillway at Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River outside of Yankton, SD Tuesday , January 11, 2022. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A bald eagle completes a landing on a blustery day in a tree overlooking the spillway at Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River outside of Yankton, SD Tuesday , January 11, 2022. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A bald eagle balances on a branch as it is buffeted by a gust of wind on a tree’s branch overlooking the spillway at Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River outside of Yankton, SD Tuesday , January 11, 2022. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A bald eagle heads back to a place it can enjoy its catch of fish from the Missouri River near the spillway at Gavins Point Dam outside of Yankton, SD Tuesday , January 11, 2022. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)