Scouting Lock and Dam #4 for eagles

I've resolved for 2011 to go out and take more bird photos. So far I've already visited Sax-Zim Bog.

Today I drove down to visit Lock and Dam #4 in Alma, WI to check out the eagles (at the suggestion of canonloader.)

At first it didn't look like a promising place at all, but then I did some exploring and found a small public access boat dock just south of the dam, so I was able to get right down to the water. There were some eagles fishing right there. Unfortunately the wind was coming from the north, and the sun was in the south, so the eagles were all in shadow as they were fishing into the wind. It looks like the spot has potential, so I will definitely visit again. It was very cold down on that boat dock, though! Plus there's no railing which freaks me out a little. It's a sturdy metal dock, just have to pay attention to where you're standing:

Here's the boat dock (I'm facing north):

Nice shots Liz...I guess even at L&D you have to pick the right place and the right day...nice shot of the eagle you posted....really like the Kestrel...I can;t get within a hundred feet of them here!

Really like your feeder cam set up...love what you did with the sections of log for the woodpeckers...are you drilling holes and filling with suet? Pretty cool you had a pileated and downey at the same time!

Great to find a spot Liz, Great shooting!!!

hramakers wrote in post #11600059
Nice shots Liz...I guess even at L&D you have to pick the right place and the right day...nice shot of the eagle you posted....really like the Kestrel...I can;t get within a hundred feet of them here!

Thanks, yes you do have to really scout out and make a plan of attack for each L&D. Some are on the east side of the river, some on the west, some have good access to the water, some don't, etc. I got lucky with the kestrel, he was very cooperative.

hramakers wrote in post #11600076
Really like your feeder cam set up...love what you did with the sections of log for the woodpeckers...are you drilling holes and filling with suet? Pretty cool you had a pileated and downey at the same time!

Thanks - the suet logs are store bought, but it could certainly be something you make yourself. Likewise with the suet, I buy plugs but they could be homemade. They can be hung horizontally like I have them now, or the hook can be put in one end to hang the log vertically. The woodpeckers like them better vertical, but then blackbirds and house sparrows can also access the suet. So when they show up, I'll hang the logs horizontal. Same thing with the peanut cage, I put that up when I see undesirables, otherwise I use a different feeder without a cage.

hTr wrote in post #11600203
Great to find a spot Liz, Great shooting!!!

Thanks, I hope to get there again soon with better light!

Nice shots

nice shots Liz

Very nice Liz...

Thanks all, I plan to keep getting out and getting more pictures so will be posting again soon!

Great shots Liz ,love the Kestral all fluffed up and not on a wire. Never have been to # 4...... looks nice.