Bald Eagle Watching 2025, We Missed It!

We have been going to see the eagles on Lake Coeur d Alene every December for at least 12 years.  I follow the Bureau of Land Management bald eagle count that is posted weekly.  Well, this year we had the government shut down and the count was delayed.  I can look back several years to see when the peak of the eagle count happens.  Most of the time it is in mid December.  I saw the count at about 284 eagles on November 26.  My thought was the count would go up and we could wait a week or so.  Nope.  The next bald eagle count went down by about 100 eagles.  We headed out.  We did miss the peak for sure but there were still bald eagles to find.  Not as many and the great picture opportunities were few and far between.  It was still amazing to see how majestic and how huge bald eagles look as the soar in the sky.  I was prepared, camera in hand ready to shoot pictures of the bald eagles. 

Mike and his spotting scope. He is a pro at spotting the eagles in the trees. It was nice that there was no snow.  The bald eagles are harder to find when there is snow in the trees.  They have white heads you know.  We did have to brave some wind and a bit of rain.  This is the second spot we went to.  

Can you tell it was windy? 

There was a little issue with Mike and his glasses.  They went missing.  We searched and searched where we were watching the bald eagles.  No luck.  Mike was ready to replace the glasses.  We headed to Michael D's for breakfast as we always do. Mike had to use my glasses to read the menu.  Charming. 

They fit him perfectly.  The glasses were eventually found.  

Lessoned learned.  If the bald eagle count gets over 200 go.  If the count goes up we can always go again.  I look forward to this tradition every year!  We will be back next year.  

Isaiah 40:31 Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary and walk and not faint. 

Bald Eagle Viewing December 2023

Off we go for our annual eagle viewing adventure.  December 9th, 2023 and the bald eagle count was 279.  It was a cloudy day so picture taking was a bit challenging.  We made it happen though.  I took these with my longest lens.  

A juvenile bald eagle taken through the spotting scope.  

If there is a circle the picture was taken through the spotting scope.  Lots of eagles in the trees and not many flying until later in the morning. 

This was unique.  Someone came and told us there was a mountain goat across the freeway.  He had lived in the area 40 years and this was only the second time he had seen a mountain goat.  He was pretty darn excited.  So was Mike. We got these through the spotting scope.  

One thing about using the scope is I have to change the lens to a different one or the camera doesn't work with the spotting scope. When eagles fly by and I have my shorter lens on I miss some great pictures.  Not bad though for using the lens my camera came with.  Next time we will bring my old camera and there will be no lens changing. I won't miss opportunities to get great pictures of the eagles in flight.  

This one got a fish!

Lots of pictures of the same eagle. In each picture the eagle was in just a tiny different position.  At least I think that was the case.  I just like the pictures. 

Now our traditional meal after bald eagle watching. It takes a lot of energy to stay out in the cold searching for eagles. 

This pancake took up the whole plate.  It was thin so I managed to eat it all.  Or did I?

Love!

Well, almost all of it. I had a predator waiting for whatever wasn't consumed!  Until next year!  We might go again this year.  Today the eagle count is over 400! WOW!  A record number of bald eagles!