If one grew up in a family and was not an only child, there were those days when siblings were expected to share. And sometimes I am guessing the same is true in the animal kingdom, even in Siouxland. This past February on a cold day I hiked into an area along the Big Sioux River near Stone State Park. Eagles were congregating there and hanging out until it was time to move along.
And on one particular day, it seemed two related juvenile bald eagles liked sitting on the same branch and in the same place.
Human siblings will exhibit the same behavior, each wanting to occupy space that another might already occupy, or want depending on the circumstances. I find the behavior fascinating while also chilly waiting to see how everything played out. And remember thinking one of them flew to another branch probably only to continue the battle of wills another time and another day.
Sometimes it is possible to find species sharing a little space without much fuss. At least in the animal kingdom. Over winter I went to Stone State Park and spent some time along the Big Sioux River which runs just on the outskirts of the park. And it was amazing to find various creatures within “spitting” distance of one another, minding their own business and focused on whatever task was at hand.
While driving about Siouxland this winter in search of photographic opportunities involving the American bald eagle, I never tire of just watching them. Their mannerisms and interactions with one another. I fell lucky that I have been able to watch and photograph them on different occasions.
By now the majority of them have moved on as migration is in full swing. Thousands of Canada geese and other waterfowl have been passing through the area. Sometimes almost too numerous to guess how many. A friend recently told me that seeing more opportunities to view eagles was encouraging because it meant they were coming back and not quite as endangered as previous years. But still, it doesn’t mean they are out of the woods, as the saying goes. I am hoping for a few more opportunities but the numbers may not be quite as plentiful, but it is still a joy to watch them.
Nature has a way of seemingly replicating life, even in Siouxland, although that might be a projection of sorts. Recently on an outing this winter I watched as young juvenile American bald eagles jostled with one another to find a perch in a tree top. Sometimes accommodating one another and sometimes not. But in the end they always seemed to make it work.
And there were many treetops to accommodate all of the eagles, juvenile and adult. But it seems everyone vied for the same treetop until they couldn’t. I couldn’t even guess if the drama was play acting or actual as the young ones felt their way in pecking order of the world, testing their own mettle and that of kin or neighbors. I was only glad I could watch and not participate.
As many times as I can get out into Siouxland and look for places that the American bald eagle might be hanging out these days during migration, I never tire of watching them. Sitting in tree tops, perched, alert, ever watchful. Of course if I was always looking for a meal I would probably do the same, except for perching in tree tops.
The winter season has not left the area as more snowstorms or wintry weather mix is still occupying most of the days recently and into the near future. It seems this year I have been out photographing on more overcast, cloudy and hazy days than I remember from last year. So while it may not be as ideal of photography weather with crisp blue skies setting off the eagles flying or perched, the joy and fun of watching them is still there.
When I do get out and look for critters, like American bald eagles, to photograph in Siouxland, I am always amazed at their abilities, even during those take offs and landings that seem not as graceful as when watching them soar overhead. Of course they would probably think the same of me who works really hard in keeping both left feet moving in the same direction.
Like any flying “machine” a little distance and time is needed to make that jump to get airborne and then to continue the climb to reach that area overhead and begin soaring above the earth. Looking for the next meal or just seeing what is around, the eagles and other birds make it look somewhat easy. Of course I always thought that it wasn’t the take off that was hard, it was the landing that could hurt.
Recently while driving about Siouxland and heading to destinations in hopes of finding more eagles, I realize that not all of the images, if most of any of them, are really exciting. Mostly just a documentary exercise of photographing them in a place. It seems most of winter has been quite grey and overcast, along with extremely cold. And only every now and again does the sun seem to make an appearance.
But it is still nice to get out into nature, albeit, a cold nature this winter to look for the birds. Some days out have been balmy in the teens and low 20’s temperature wise. And even though I am a bit of an early rise these days, I don’t always like venturing out in the wee hours of the morning as “black ice” still exists in areas when traveling around Siouxland. But if you go with a couple friends at least one is not singularly disappointed. And on a cold day, there is always lunch to look forward too.
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.
There are those days while traversing parts of Siouxland where I have a chance encounter with a local “resident”, that I feel I am intruding on someone’s personal space, even from a distance.
Recently in Bacon Creek Park after a brisk walk in very cold temperatures I spied a downy woodpecker looking for a snack on some frozen cattails near a small lake. It was fine for a minute or so, but then realized I was taking an interest and thus began the stare down. The little guy was busy and I figured how many photos of a downy woodpecker do I really need swaying in a cold breeze on a cold winter’s day?
On a fairly recent cold day in Siouxland I visited Bacon Creek Park to see what might be about and a chance for a short, quick walk. The weather not really conducive to spending long periods outdoors if didn’t have to, but also having a bit of cabin fever, sometimes short trips and a quick look about is in order.
As I saw these deer looking for some sustenance on this day in snow covered terrain I knew I didn’t have it so bad, leaving a warm house, a meal to return to and a chance to see some nature in action, as limited and calm as it was. Some days are made for a second cup of coffee and contemplation of all that is right.
I live in the Siouxland area that encompasses a wide swatch of land in northwest Iowa, northeastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota. The people that inhabit this area are generous folk and your basic honest, Midwestern people you like to have as neighbors. I explore the area and share observations, mostly photographic, sometimes through video, and and short text. All images and video are copyrighted material of the author.
Jerry Mennenga, Sioux City, Iowa
jerrylmennenga@yahoo.com
lostinsiouxland 