In their new book Wildlife Watching in America's National Parks: A
Seasonal Guide -- out this month -- National Park Service veterans Gary W.
Vequist and Daniel S. Licht, focus on 12 animals that have been imperiled
and at risk, but are now protected within the National Park System.
For the month of February, Vequist and Licht narrow in on the bald
eagles of the Mississippi River.
What’s so great about the bald eagle? For one thing, it’s our
country’s national symbol. Our Founding Fathers were very impressed by the
power, beauty, and grandeur of the bird—it would be the perfect symbol of
American ideals.
Despite the eagle being an American symbol, hunters and trappers have
almost eliminated it in the past—shooting, trapping, poisoning, and persecuting
it. When a societal shift occurred concerning wildlife, laws were passed to
help protect the eagle and other imperiled species. Now, the bald eagle is not
only a national symbol but also a wildlife conservation and environmental
symbol.
Where is the best place to view bald eagles? The Mississippi
National River and Recreation Area, Minnesota. Established in 1988, this new
breed of National Park Service is a 72-mile-long park that lies between the
busy city life of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Although it’s located
near civilization, the area is home to an amazing diversity of wildlife and has
countless opportunities to view them.
Because there are so many outdoor activities available there, Vequist
and Licht suggest checking out the park’s web page for a list of activities by
season or by starting out at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The museum boasts
dozens of galleries and exhibits specifically on the Mississippi River, that
provide additional information on the region's wildlife, ecology, and
history.
What is the best season for viewing bald eagles?
During the winter months, bald eagles and waterfowl are the prime
wildlife-viewing attraction. Vequist and Licht explain that these wintering
bald eagles can be found anywhere in the park where there is open water. They
note to look for them soaring overhead, perched in tall trees, or standing on
the river ice. One of the great things about watching bald eagles during the
winter is that there is hardly any other wildlife to watch!
If you would like to read more about viewing Bald Eagles, Gray Wolves,
Black Bears, Sea Turtles, Gray Whales in national parks, read Wildlife Watching in America’s National Parks: A Seasonal Guide (TAMU Press, 2013).
--Madeline Loving
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