"Bald Eagles Thrive in Wisconsin"

On a recent Saturday afternoon the Wisconsin River served as the backdrop for a majestic group of American Bald Eagles. The tree covered bluffs and the flowing rivers provide an ideal habitat for the Bald Eagles that make Prairie du Sac and Sauk City Wisconsin their Winter homes.  The adult American Bald Eagle's distinctive white head and tail along with its six to eight foot wingspan make it difficult to mistake for other large birds of prey. Young Eagles, on the other hand, are darker and only gradually gain the distinctive markings we have all come to immediately recognize.

The Prairie du Sac area has become a must for eagle watchers from all over the United States and the World. The Ferry Bluff Eagle Council, for its part, has been a  voice for these magnificent creatures for over twenty six years. From establishing conservation easements to lobbying local and state government for increased protections, the organization has become an integral part of the surrounding communities and the larger conservation movement. Each year since the passage of the Endangered Species Act and the ban of DDT bald eagle populations have been on the rise. DDT is a powerful insecticide which accidentally affectedeagles and other birds by causing their eggs to have thin shells that broke. This kept the birds from hatching. In 1973 there were only 108 occupied eagle territories in Wisconsin. In 2010, there were 1,150 breeding pairs! This is in no small part thanks to the efforts of the FBEC and the dedicated volunteers like Ed that spends his Saturday mornings guiding tours and answering questions from the endless stream of eagle watchers that make their way to Prairie duSac.

Eagles were abundant throughout Wisconsin until 1800 when immigrants settled the state. Habitat disturbance, destruction, and shooting caused their numbers to drop until laws were enacted like the Migratory Bird Treaty of 1916, the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940, the 1972 listing of eagles as endangered in Wisconsin, and the ban of DDT. Today, wildlife biologists, scientists, and volunteers continue to work to teach people about protecting eagles and their nesting sites. About half of the eagle population nests on land that people privately own. DNR staff have developed educational materials to help people learn about eagle nest protection. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources works with loggers and builders to protect nests on properties where people want to build homes and businesses, or harvest trees. They also help trappers, farmers, power companies, hunters, school children learn more about eagles.

Across from Cenex Station on Water St. in Prairie duSac you will find the FBEC Overlook.  Here you can get out of your car and use the spotting scopes to see the eagles perched on Eagle Island or soaring overhead. At Veteran's Park eagles maybe seen gliding above the tall cottonwoods, flying, or fishing in the river. Here you are asked to stay in your car in order not to disturb the eagles since they will not tolerate noise or close human contact. Regular Saturday morning bus tours are scheduled throughout the Winter months. The bus departs at 10:00 o'clock from the Cedar Berry In on Phillips Blvd and tickets are $5.00 per person.

This article would not have been possible without the assistance of the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. These guardians of the American Bald Eagle and its precious habitat are working to preserve these magnificent creatures for future generations and their descendents.  

"The Back Roads of Wisconsin and Iowa"

 

On a recent November morning I pointed the truck in the general direction of Prairie Du Chien Wisconsin and points beyond. Once you pass Platteville and Lancaster, the scene becomes increasingly rural. The pace of life in Bloomington and the half dozen similar small towns that dot the interstate takes you back to another time and place. Although the economy and the ravages of time have left their scars, all has not been lost. Kids still go to school and neighbors stop to say hello to one and another.

Prairie Du Chien is probably best known as the home of Cabela's, the world's largest outdoor retailer. The eve of hunting season brings throngs of shoppers from Wisconsin and Iowa to Prairie Du Chien. The annual pilgrimage is almost a rite of passage: passed down from father to son in many area families. Hardy folks in these parts know that it's best to prepare before the onset of winter, which only makes sense if you've spent the Winter months in this part of the country. It's not uncommon to find yourself shoveling the driveway in the early hours of the morning before leaving for another days work.

Crossing into the State of Iowa (over the mighty Mississippi) is special when the seasons are changing and before the snow begins to fall. The rolling hills of rural Iowa can have a calming effect on frayed nerves, which come with the stress of everyday life. The occasional deer darting across the road will definitely bring a quick end to that peaceful feeling. All being said, they were here long before we arrived on the scene.

The villages that make up this bucolic part of Iowa are much like a lot of those in the upper Midwest. Having misplaced the address of my friend who had recently moved to Farmersburg, I ducked into the local bar and grill. The waitress did not recognize the name I gave her, but did not hesitate to ask one of the patrons who also did not know. She did, however, later seek out the local post office employee: who immediately provided me with directions to my friends home. We can all learn a valuable lesson from this simple act of kindness by two strangers. These folks still hold fast to values that most of us thought had been relegated to days gone by.

Too often we rush through life at breakneck speed without taking the time to slow down and appreciate the good things around us. Time for family and friends is at such a premium these days that we lose touch with the people and places we care about. When we finally decide to slow down the pace: time has blown by and we are left with only regrets. The next time someone is spouting about values ask them when was the last time they took the time to visit with an old friend for a couple of hours.