THE EAGLES HAVE LANDED...YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF!

Jan 18, 09:15 PM

Each year, up to 2,500 Bald Eagles make the trees and bluffs along the Mississippi River their winter roosting grounds. From about mid-December through February the Quad Cities serves as host to a large majority of the big birds making their annual migration from Canada to the unfrozen waters of the Mississippi River.

Residents and visitors alike look to the skies to watch the eagles, easily identified by the white feathers of their heads and tails, and their immense wingspans. A symbol of freedom and strength, and once on the brink of extinction, the Bald Eagles regularly awe visitors who line the banks of the Mississippi on crisp, clear winter mornings.

Just down the river from Locks and Dams 14 and 15, these incredible birds of prey gather along the wooded bluffs to spend the winter in the Quad Cities. The waters of the river remain unfrozen, fish is plentiful and old-growth forests provide prime sites for perching and roosting.

Quad Cities celebrates these transient residents each January with a series of events, tours and eagle watching opportunities. Bald Eagle watches usually occur in January and February, but eagles can be seen from mid-December through early March. It all depends on the weather. As warm weather arrives, most eagles will begin their journey back north to northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada to prepare for the nesting season.

Eagles are amazing birds. They are not really bald, but develop white feathers on their heads at five years of age. Immature Bald Eagles have dark heads. A mature eagle will have a wing-span of 6 to 8 feet, 7,000 feathers and weighs 8 to 11 pounds. Their eyesight is even better than humans. They can read a newspaper a football field length away!

One of the areas best storm chasers, Jeremy Luden is also an avid fan and photographer of area eagles, Here are a few of Jeremy's images. You can see more of his fine work at FURIOUSSKIES.COM