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It's not always easy locating and photographing the national symbol.
We see images of the great bald eagle everywhere, but rarely do
we see the actual bird. If you are interested in seeing bald eagles
up close and personal, you will want to travel to the Illinois/Iowa
border during the winter. Here, along several lock and dams all
the way from Minnesota to Iowa you can witness spectacular gatherings
of the national symbol.
The winter time is the right time simply because the eagles migrate
from other parts of the midwest to open areas of water near the
lock and dams. This open water allows them to feed when much of
the river(or other nearby bodies of water) may be frozen. This
page is going to specifically focus on Lock and Damn 14, although
many of the lock and dams tend to be productive along the Iowa/Illinois
border.
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Larger Map
The drive to Lock and Dam 14 from the center of Chicago is two
and a half hours and one hundred and sixty miles. Head due west
on I-88, then near the Iowa border head west on I-80. When you
cross the river, exit on route 67 in Le Claire, Iowa and take
this southwest(left). After a few miles you will see a pullout
to Lock and Dam 14. You may have already spotted a few eagles
as they are thick in this country during winter. There is a small
parking area and a restroom on the corner of the lot in case you
need it.
Looking southwest from the parking lot.
Make sure you bring the warmest clothes you can
dig up. Standing around right on the river during winter is tough.
You need thick layers and wind resistant pants to be comfortable
for hours. A ski mask would be ideal - so would a pair of long
underwear. The wind off the Mississippi reduces our ability to
withstand the cold; many people leave early, shaking as they walk
to their cars. Make no mistake that this can be a truly punishing
environment.
Looking into the lock on a freezing day.
Much of the land was purchased by the Nature Conservancy
in an effort to keep development out so the eagles can thrive.
So far the plan has worked. The Conservancy owns 9.2 acres here,
and the bald eagles use every last inch of it. With the help of
eagle enthusiasts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Nature
Conservancy manage the location in a way that benefits the eagles.
I've done a large amount of wildlife photography and I can tell
you this is one of the best places to see wild bald eagles close
up. The eagles do not hesitate to fly directly above you as you
stand on the viewing platforms. Contrast this with the northwoods
lake country where you get lucky if the eagle you spotted doesn't
fly away as soon as you approach within fifty yards. The high
concentration of fish in the unfrozen sections of water force
the birds to feed in close together. This is an unusual situation
and wildlife watching fans will find this place satisfying. To
see so many bald eagles in one small space will shock you.
A bald eagle scoops a fish at Lock and Dam 14.
Those interested in keeping track of the daily sightings
at Lock and Dam 14 during the winter will find this
link a useful tool.
Those interested in filming the eagles will be happy to
know you don't need a 500mm lens. The eagles make themselves available
at much shorter distances. In almost all other places it would
be unspeakable to photograph birds with a 200mm lens, yet you
could easily do that at Lock and Dam 14. Typically, you would
want at least 300mm.
I also found over the years that the drive along I-88 from Chicago
offers many opportunities for redtail hawk viewing. Keep an eye
out for the broad shouldered birds on trees along the interstate.
On one trip I counted twenty or so of the raptors on the way to
Lock and Dam 14.
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