So for a week or so some American bald eagles, adults and juveniles, have been hanging out in the Siouxland area. Somewhat taking up residence along some smaller rivers where there is some open water from which they find fish on which to feed. The times of day I am finding the they generally are perching or roosting in tree tops, swaying in the wind high up and watching their surroundings.
Most times I go early or earlier in the morning, but the weather hasn’t really been cooperating. Sometimes it isn’t until the later afternoon when the sun briefly peeks through grey and overcast skies when one might catch a little sun and some blue sky rather then the silver grey look that often accompanies dreary winter days.
It is interesting to watch them “close up” through a telephoto lens, watching expressions as they look and swivel from their perches of which I am guessing they are looking for food movement down below. One area I have found them takes me a bit of time to walk slowly, very, very slowly, from tree to tree. In such a way as not to spook them so I can be in a position to photograph them more clearly. The trees along this small river have many, many spindly branches that are everywhere. And they are sitting across the river and have a commanding view of the countryside.
And sometimes I think they amuse themselves as they land and take off from those branches up high, occasionally breaking a piece off and having to try again. It’s mostly the juvenile eagles that seem most active. Riding wind currents and gliding over the mostly frozen river bed. I only hope for a few more tries at improving my ability to capture them in flight, maybe catching a fish but mostly enjoying their gracefulness. Although, while panning and lining up a chance to photograph them, that “odd” tree pops up and fills my frame and I silently curse, knowing it would have been a beauty of a photo.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
lostinsiouxland 
Wow! You got a good little group there. It’s funny seeing bad hair days or bad feather days.
Thank Sharon. I thought it seemed odd, although the wind was blowing pretty stiffly that day. Am afraid I’ve been hitting following the eagles a bit much with more to come. Thank you for checking it out.
It’s never too much. Wind and clouds have been the norm here. Looking forward to seeing the pictures.
Great windblown shot – they are usually so prim and proper with their feathering it is refreshing to see they have the same mornings I do ha!
There were a few of them having a “bad hair day” with the wind gusting. Got to love the Midwest and that prairie wind.