Bald Eagles on the Mississippi River: Alton and Grafton, IL on the Great River Road

By Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience is eager to again feature natural aviators in our coverage of Midwest Aviation. We set out recently on a cloudy, snowy day to capture the majestic bald eagle in its natural habitat along the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, MO. Our route took us across the Mississippi River at Alton, IL to Grafton along the Great River Road. Between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., we saw two mature bald eagles on the ice flows and one in a tree near the road before it took off down the river. A juvenile bald eagle was also seen diving for a fish in the river. During our stop at the Grafton Lighthouse, the ring-billed gulls descended for some free food from a fellow bird-watcher.    

We encourage everyone to witness the wintering bald eagles and other wildlife and ensure they always have a welcoming Midwest winter home. Our photo essay includes gulls, geese, a red-tailed hawk and of course, bald eagles!

Making a Difference for Good: Helping Our Natural Aviators Thrive Through Education and Viewing Experiences

By Carmelo Turdo

Winter is the time when bald eagles migrate into the Midwest, and they can be more easily viewed in their natural habitat along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. This first weekend of January also kicked off the series of weekly educational events featuring bald eagles and other raptors at the Alton, IL Visitors Center, Audubon Center at Riverlands, and other venues. These magnificent raptors are made available for viewing and full-length demonstrations by the World Bird Sanctuary and the Treehouse Wildlife Center at events around the region. The birds on display are cared for by these organizations following nest abandonment or injuries that render them unable to survive independently in nature (others are released following recovery and rehabilitation). They serve as ambassadors for their species, inspiring humanity to be mindful of their roles in our environment and protect them from careless and malicious treatment.

A series of educational events will be presented to the public through March, many of which are listed on the Great River Road website. The Aero Experience appreciates their work advocating for our natural aviators, and we have some views of the great turnout for Saturday's events:

 

Bald Eagles on the Mississippi River: Clarksville, MO and Grafton, IL on the Great River Road

By Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience is eager to again feature natural aviators in our coverage of Midwest Aviation.  We set out yesterday, with our friend ace photographer Gary Chambers, to capture the majestic bald eagle in its natural habitat along the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, MO. Our general travel path included visits to Lock and Dam No. 24 in Clarksville, MO and then across the Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO, to Grafton, IL along the Great River Road (there are many more viewing areas to be visited in future excursions). Between 8am and 2pm, we saw some bald eagles roosting and flying over the ice-covered river, several of which landed on ice flows and took a ride down the river before taking off again.  

As with all of our Midwest Aviation features, one goal is to inform our audience of the great contributions of the region's aviation industry, heritage and participants (including our natural aviators!).  Our other, and more important goal, is to encourage our audience to participate in aviation, and in this case, go out and witness these majestic creatures for yourself and ensure they always have a welcoming Midwest winter home.  Our photo essay includes gulls, geese and of course, bald eagles!