Squaw Creek

     Last weekend I drove up to Mound City, Missouri to visit the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge.  http://www.fws.gov/refuge/squaw_creek/  It is a haven for migratory birds on over 7,000 acres.  December is a prime time for eagle viewing and unbeknownst to me, they were celebrating Eagle Days.  There was a presentation by a local zoo with a bald eagle and golden eagle.  I had seen a lone bald eagle once at the Philadelphia zoo, but it really was incredible to see it up close.

    They offered an auto tour, and there were a few designated points to get out and hike if you wanted.  Since it was eagle days, they also had naturalists set up with viewing stations to get a better view of the eagles, bus tours with guides around the auto tour route, and other fun activities going on.

Even though the main attraction was the eagles, there was plent of other wildlife at the site.

And even though most of the vegetation was brown or gray and the trees had lost their leaves, there was still beautiful scenery.

 

 

 

And of course eagles.  Unfortunately I don't have a telephoto lens, so this is the best that I could do. 

Throughout the course of the day, I probably saw around 15 eagles from various distances.  It truly was amazing to see them in a natural setting and to hear them calling to each other and scanning the ground for food.  There were lots of other birds as well, and apparently they have tons of geese in the fall and spring.  Despite a drive that was a little longer than I expected, it was well worth the trip, especially since everything at the refuge is free.  I'd definitely try visiting in another season, but if you can only fit in one trip, I recommend visiting at a time when the eagles are there.  It sounds corny, but seeing this American symbol does inspire a sense of pride for this country.  And to think, it could have been a turkey instead...