lock and dam 14

So enjoy visiting here January to February and watching our National Bird live and hunt on the Mississippi River during the winter months. You have adults with full plumage and young birds with the golden-brown plumage. Fish is plentiful for both, gulls, eagles, and pelicans. Don't want to go here? There are a multitude of spots available all along the great Mississippi.Oh the pelicans, four brown, blown up here after Hurricane Katrina. Amazing photo opportunites. There is also a boat launch if you would like to be on the water when not frozen to watch the eagles dive and fish.

We have been here on three separate trips so far. The eagles perch right above you in the parking lot. Many times someone will bring fish so it‘s pretty easy to get some action shots. This trip they were joined by 13 white pelicans, buffle headed ducks, mallards, Canada geese, possibly an Osprey, and some birds we haven't identified yet. And two days of the trip yielded blue skies that bordered on unreal. Cold? You bet. Amazing? Bet the house on it.

Possibly the best spot in the U.S. to photograph bald eagles. We drive 10 hours each way to visit L&D 14 and photograph the eagles!

Yes, in January and February come here to see the bald eagles. But come in April and you will see the American White Pelican. LIke the eagles, they come here to the Lock and Dam 14 to feed as they migrate north. Hundreds of them are flying, swimming, nesting and feeding. It is wonderful to see. And they will be here all month and maybe then some.If you walk a bit past the lock and dam you will find a nature path that will take you along the river to Smith's Island. It is a great hike. And, as a bonus, you might see a barge going through the lock.

People travel for 8 or 9 hours in all directions to photograph American Bald Eagles during January and February.When the Great Lake Region becomes snow covered and the streams / rivers frozen, the eagles begin to migrate south in search of food. This migration generally begins mid December through the third week or so of February.For photographers, LD 14 offers a large public parking lot, restrooms, handicapped facilities, a long board walk to set up tripods - etc., and a very grand view of eagles perched in the trees around the area and fishing under the dams, which at times, are almost in hands reach. With some patience, some super shots can be taken with as little as a 200mm lens. Generally, a 300 to 800mm lens is used by many photographers. Heck, I've even seen people on the boardwalk taking photos with their iPhones among the thousand dollar set-ups.For the Bald Eagles, the river offers great Gizzard Shad fishing. Trees are located around the area, which saves calories while allowing the eagles to peer into the waters. Just next to the parking lot, there is a Bald Eagle Sanctuary where the eagles can rest without people disturbing them. Eagles are scavengers. When there is a snow covering the ground, this forces the eagles to fish the river even more.I have thousands of photos and a great photography tips and tricks on my blog. Last time I tried to write a review to help the public, Tripadvisor rejected due to embedded links. PM me to get more details.Thanks!Kent Jarrett

So when we lived in the QC - there was talk of going to Lock and Dam 14 to view the eagles in the winter. Okay - we'll give it a shot. We were immediate fans. Funny thing is you don't realize how CLOSE you will see them, especially in the dead of winter. With the dam there - fish come thru 'dazed' and are easier feeding for the eagles. Of course be prepared to share the space with LOTS of photographers. My hubby included. There will also be photographers who will bring frozen fish to try and 'bait' the eagles in closer for photos. It's really amazing to see and the sheer number of eagles who come here to feed is amazing. Great chance to learn more about the life stages of these birds and you will be up close for sure. Have seen airborn fish fights with them dropping the fish to the hood of the car below. Very interesting place. They have programs during the winter too all about eagles.

This is a neat place to take kids to learn...engineering, conservation and much more. They provide you with lots of good information and it's fun and exciting for kids to see.