Alton, Illinois the Winter Haven for the American Eagle

The American eagle is the national bird of the United States. It is against the law to trap or kill one of these magnificent birds. However, that doesn't stop many Americans from taking pictures of the bird in it's natural environment. One of the those locations is Alton, Illinois.

Alton is located on the Mississippi river. Within a ten mile are is the convergence of two other rivers. They are the Missouri and Illinois rivers. Late in December till early March, this area is the home of the American eagle. It comes here mainly to feed on the fish in the cold icy river waters.

Conservationists make it a point to educate citizens of all ages about the eagle in it's natural habitat. Pierre Marquette State Park in Grafton, Illinois, offers lectures about the bird. They often display an eagle that has been taken in for medical treatment. This also happens at the Alton lock and dam and at the Lewis and Clark museum. Just across the river from Grafton is a natural bird sanctuary. Many eagles flock to that area as well.

It is not unusual to have individuals come from all over the United States to view the bird by themselves. For some reason the American eagle likes to perch just off highway 367 in the trees, on the Missouri side of the Mississippi. People with telescopic lens can take pictures of the bird in flight or roosting on a tree limb.

Eagle watching in this part of America is a well kept secret. Although it gets lots of press in the local are, many individuals outside this area know little about the American eagle and why it is here. Individuals, from the area, will park their cars by the Alton bridge and set up their cameras. Some are professional photographers and some just want to capture their own images.

My wife and I like to drive the River Road. We can often view the eagle as it soars from bluff to bluff or in flight over the river. I will drive and she spots. As soon as we see one, we pull over and just watch it. We aren't very good at photographs. Still, just watching the eagle in real life is very exciting to us.

When you see the eagle in flight, you can understand why it stands for our freedom. It is free to soar as we are free to live in the greatest nation on earth. If you ever get the opportunity to travel, during the winter to this area, take the time check out the eagles for yourself. Only then will you be able to appreciate this bird that is a symbol of our freedom.