Bald Eagles One Sunny Day in Southern Wisconsin 13 March 2015

Along the Great River Road, State Trunk Hwy. 35, BALD EAGLES can be seen in Southwest Wisconsin in the bluff area along the Mississippi River especially during the month of March as they migrate north when the ice is melting and there is open water. A bridge will take Eagle watchers into Wabash, Minnesota to the National Eagle Center where the majestic bald eagle can be seen up close and personal. Photographing eagles is difficult because they maintain distance, mostly by height, and I do my best with the equipment I have. Obviously the capability of the camera lens one has makes a big difference. The images here were taken at a small park on the Mississippi River in Bay City, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Bluffs Old Indian Warrior Do You See What I See

What do you see? 

Blog Post by Mary Katherine May

There are times when rock formations have designs carved by weather and time that seem familiar to us. The glacial rock along the St. Croix River, for example, has its Old Man of the Dalles, Holy Cross, Lion's Head, and more.  

In this case the rock is sandstone which is far more changeable due to the elements (as far as I know).

This past weekend as we drove along the Mississippi River bluffs in Wisconsin I snapped photos. Looking at them this evening I saw something, and maybe you will, too.

I see the configuration of the face of an old American Indian warrior looking down as though watching and guarding the land and people below. 

Wisconsin Bluffs: Old Indian Warrior (enhanced)

Wisconsin Bluffs: Old Indian Warrior (original)

Wisconsin Bluffs: Old Indian Warrior photo enhanced)

Wisconsin Bluffs: Old Indian Warrior (original)

Eagles Hawks Geese Pelicans Ducks Bluffs Wisconsin Bay City

Bald Eagle photographed by Mary Katherine May
National Eagle Center, Wabasha MN.
More bird photographs below.

Birds and Bluffs in Southwest Wisconsin
by Mary Katherine May
March 24, 2014

The past two weekends Rick and I have driven the short two hour drive from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, into Southwest Wisconsin.  First, we celebrated our fortieth wedding anniversary; and second, we were looking for eagles.

The bluffs and surrounding areas in Southwest Wisconsin are a favorite place for watching the majestic bald eagle, and March is, as we have been told, the best time of all.  With areas of exposed water now showing on the Mississippi River, migrating eagles come to sit (I suppose), rest, and watch for food.

Rick and Mary May celebrate
their 40th Wedding Anniversary at
Cedar Ridge Resort in Nelson, WI.

Rick and I and family members spread out according to our interests, and took in the sites in Alma: Lock and Dam number 4, Nelson: Nelson's Creamery, Stockholm: Maiden Rock Winery (we didn't have time to visit Danzinger Winery in Alma), Wabasha, Minnesota: National Eagle Center's Soar with the Eagles programs in March, Bay City: Old Stuff Store, Hastings, Minnesota's many antique shops, and more.

Sign identifying the of Town of
Lincoln, Wisconsin, but where is the town?

I happen to like taking in quiet country roads to see what I can see, and Rick obligingly drove us to Cream, Wisconsin where we found Tell church, an interesting historic site that holds services in the month of June, and a sign for Lincoln, Wisconsin that stands next to a farm field with no town in sight.

Two views from the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River. Left: Looking toward Minnesota
from the dock associated with Cedar Ridge Resort in Nelson,Wisconsin.
Right: Sun setting as seen from the deck of our cabin.  Photographs by Mary Katherine May

Bluffs typical of Southwest Wisconsin in later winter display stark beauty.
Photograph by Mary Katherine May

View of same bluff as above from a distance. Nelson, Wisconsin,.

In this area of Wisconsin many of the roads rise and descend with steep hills and valleys on either side. You could say that farming is often an angular affair.  

You could say that farming among the bluffs in Southwest Wisconsin is often an angular affair!

Photograph of unidentified bird taken by Mary Katherine May.

On the day that I stopped for a look in the Old Stuff Shop in Bay City, the kind gentlemen suggested we
try bird watching in the local park. There are Bald Eagles to be seen in Saratoga Park, and many other birds as well. Photographing them for amateurs like Rick and myself who just have a regular camera is not all that easy but rewarding just the same. Eagles sit high up in the trees and fly even higher. To take the best pictures possible you will need a good zoom lens.

Photograph taken March 23, 2014 in Bay City, Wisconsin by Mary

Bald Eagles photographed at Saratoga Park in Bay City, Wisconsin by Mary Katherine May.

Photograph taken March 23, 2014 in Bay City, Wisconsin

Eagles sit high in the tops of trees. Photographed at Saratoga Park, Bay City, Wisconsin.
Photograph taken March 23, 2014, by Mary Katherine May

American White Pelicans seen in Bay City, Wisconsin on March 16, 2014.

Greater White Fronted Geese photographed by Mary Katherine May, March 16, 2014.

When I stood on this right I felt like I was falling over.  A bluff road outside of Stockholm, Wisconsin.

Historic Tell Church in Cream, Wisconsin, built by two Walser Brothers.

Steep roads seem to take off into the sky.
Photographed near Diamond Bluff, Wisconsin, March 23, 2014.

Rick May walking out to a point on the Mississippi River.
Bay City, Wisconsin. March 23, 2014.

Strolling Canadian Geese on their way for a swim in Alma, Wisconsin.
March 16, 2014. Photograph by Mary Katherine May.