I must admit, my “seasonal eagle awareness” only dates back to around 2012. But I miss those early years of my photographic pursuits with them. You see, they were banner years…2012 and 2013…for very high numbers at the lock and dam close to home. You could drive about 10 minutes down the road and find hundreds of them in the area. There was always something flying, fishing, or perching along the river road…which allowed for a lot of great shot opportunities.
2013 was a particularly cold and brutal winter…and it was long. And because of that I suspect the pool upriver of the dam stayed ice covered for a long time. And it must have killed a lot of fish…because in the winters that followed you would be lucky to see just a few eagles at the dam. We adjusted of course and sought out other venues with birds…where the open water and fish can be found, and it takes both, you’ll usually find eagles. But those early years were fabulous…and perhaps one day we’ll see those “hoards” of eagles again around here.
I hope they’re as happy to see me as I am to see them…but I remain doubtful of that.