Bald Eagles Do Live In Kansas

on new year's day, we drove up to lawrence, the college town i lived in for four years at the end of the 1980s/beginning of the 1990s, because we had heard that bald eagles were nesting in certain areas around town until march. sure enough, we went to an area by the city hall and were treated to bald eagles flying by and perching in a tree across from our vantage point. it was amazing. i guess this has been going on for years and we've been oblivious. nothing new there, right?

so when i heard on the radio on my way to work this week that our national bird was back, we headed there right after breakfast. and in the three hours we were there, we saw eight majestic birds. i get that this picture simply doesn't do justice to the gorgeous and quite large eagle that stayed stationary in the kansas river while we peered through our binoculars.

through some exploration we found a tucked away park where another one was perched across the river from us. as we decided to leave, it left its perched and flew right over our heads. that's right, there was a bald eagle soaring 20 feet over us. so cool.

we continued on to clinton lake, where we spotted three by the main lake, and then two more by a remote (and awesome) fishing spot, which will for sure become a favorite destination next spring, summer, and fall--it's w-a-y off the beaten path, quiet, and offers tons of coverage for the fish--perfect. and it's quiet, which is something i like about fishing.

which i bet you're thinking, "right. this chick is such a talker." and you would be right. except when i'm fishing or bird-watching. or sleeping. except that the adorable one says that i occasionally speak in my sleep and i snore. can you believe that? me neither.

but i do believe in the bald eagles.