Janisse, I’m trying to upgrade to paid on your Substack and it keeps taking me back to Subscribe with no option for paid. Obviously, I’m technically challenged. Please help.😊
I love that you entered Little Fawn in the drawing for the binoculars. She is growing and growing - so adorable in the arms of the bald eagle. I enjoyed every word of the bald eagle story. How neat to see them and know their numbers are increasing. Also, the snapshot into the Driftless Region is fascinating. Looking forward to more Trackless Wild. Hiring a driver is well worth it, and your time at Beloit College has gone well. Yay for home, though!
You are enduring so much. Not sure how you do it but it's inspiring to read about. In 1980 I moved to SE Minnesota, Wabasha, just north of LaCrosse, WI about an hour, along the MN/WI border of the Mississippi River. At that time there were only a few breeding pair of eagles in the Chippewa National Forest, one of their strongholds in those years. Now I believe there are over 150 breeding pairs using that area.
7 miles up river from Wabasha is Lake City, MN which is a small town situated on the shores of Lake Pepin, a 22 mi long, 2 mi wide area in the upper Mississippi R.. In the winter it freezes but as the river continues to flow it breaks up the ice where it narrows back down into the more narrow river channel, and where it meets the Chippewa River coming out of the north woods of Wisconsin. This is an amazing gathering location for wintering eagles who feed on the fish and waterfowl that are also there for the winter. In my 32 years in MN I spent many, many hours along this area videoing, photographing and painting eagles. They have become so numerous that Wabasha now hosts the National Eagle Center where all things eagle are honored. It's a fascinating are all along the river and through the driftless region. Also a migratory waterfowl mecca, especially for whooper and trumpeter swans.
So glad you had time during the residency to go on a (frozen) field trip. Fun! If you need a pit stop on the way home, we are here. Maybe an overnight before the last 5 hrs. to Red Earth Farm?
We've seen them when living in Northern Wisconsin and when we lived near Harpers Ferry, WV. Those are the only places I can recall seeing them outside of an aviary. They're a bit scary when seen close up!
How cool it must have been to see bald eagles! I have a few friends up around Iowa — I'll have to tell them to be on the lookout for both the birds and the appreciative festivals.
Loving this essay, Janisse, and all your detailed descriptions in it. I spent eight of my early formative years in Iowa, mainly the southwest, cornfield-y part. Wish I had been more nature and state aware back then. Birds have been important in my life since about fifth grade, and I feel I missed out by not knowing about and appreciating the area you described. Maybe a new locale for my bucket list? All best to you and your family.
Beloit grad here! The Mackey chair wasn't instituted until a couple of years after I left, but it's such a great thing for the college -- and so many former Art of the Wild folks have been a part of it! Winter in Bel-wah can be a trial, but glad you're getting to see some of the wonders of southern Wisconsin. Say hello to the mounds for me ...
The Eagles returned to Warner Park in Madison, Wisconsin, in the last decade. Citizens united to stop the 4th of July fireworks in that city park. Originally a wetland, there were plans for additional development for Warner Park until citizens stepped up under the leadership of Trish O'Kane (Birding To Change the World), her husband, and many, many nature lovers.🌱🌿💙
Oh boy, I had a baby who also did not like the car--turns out he gets car sick but I didn't find that out until he was well into being pre-schooler. I hope Little Fawn isn't the same and y'all have a safe, easy ride home in a few weeks.
I live on a pond/small lake and we get bald eagles here every late winter/early spring. We've had juveniles flying around recently. Sometimes osprey come in as well. Some photos from my blog from 2023: http://oceanicwilderness.com/2023/02/06/eagle-watching/
It is always so great to have you in these parts of the Midwest. Your reading was so good, you had the audience in a silent spell. Thank you for being you and sharing you!
Thank you and I am glad you and Dawn saw eagles. Luckily we have a plentiful suppy here in Idaho and Sandhill cranes will be back the end of March.I love the throttles and bugles of this bird that stands on long slender legs with wingspan of feet-a bird dating back millions of years. There is so much to be joyful about every day.
Sandhill cranes are fun to see and listen to. The young ones are gangly and boney, but cute in their own way. I used to live in SW Montana and they were around every summer. Bald eagles too, and here in central Oregon there are bald eagles.
Beautiful writing Janisse, coming from cold northern climates, I have no trouble picturing the scenes you depicted. I wish I could help you on your journey home. If Silas or Carlin or anyone else is with you on the journey, they are, of course, welcome to stay over with us too, if a stop in Nashville still works for you.
Thanks for the update! Little Fawn is seeing the world! Interesting how rivers start out as rivulets that are defined by the landscape they flow through, then they gradually transition to turning the tables and being the formative force on the landscape. The dance of water and sediment! I love how the sketch of yellow-rumped warblers mentions them mostly in wax myrtles since myrtle warbler is one of their old-fashioned names. Safe travels!
Janisse, I’m trying to upgrade to paid on your Substack and it keeps taking me back to Subscribe with no option for paid. Obviously, I’m technically challenged. Please help.😊
I love that you entered Little Fawn in the drawing for the binoculars. She is growing and growing - so adorable in the arms of the bald eagle. I enjoyed every word of the bald eagle story. How neat to see them and know their numbers are increasing. Also, the snapshot into the Driftless Region is fascinating. Looking forward to more Trackless Wild. Hiring a driver is well worth it, and your time at Beloit College has gone well. Yay for home, though!
You are enduring so much. Not sure how you do it but it's inspiring to read about. In 1980 I moved to SE Minnesota, Wabasha, just north of LaCrosse, WI about an hour, along the MN/WI border of the Mississippi River. At that time there were only a few breeding pair of eagles in the Chippewa National Forest, one of their strongholds in those years. Now I believe there are over 150 breeding pairs using that area.
https://www.nationalforests.org/our-forests/find-a-forest/chippewa-national-forest#:~:text=The%20Chippewa%20National%20Forest%20is%20home%20to%20the%20highest%20breeding,and%20lakes%20of%20the%20Forest.
7 miles up river from Wabasha is Lake City, MN which is a small town situated on the shores of Lake Pepin, a 22 mi long, 2 mi wide area in the upper Mississippi R.. In the winter it freezes but as the river continues to flow it breaks up the ice where it narrows back down into the more narrow river channel, and where it meets the Chippewa River coming out of the north woods of Wisconsin. This is an amazing gathering location for wintering eagles who feed on the fish and waterfowl that are also there for the winter. In my 32 years in MN I spent many, many hours along this area videoing, photographing and painting eagles. They have become so numerous that Wabasha now hosts the National Eagle Center where all things eagle are honored. It's a fascinating are all along the river and through the driftless region. Also a migratory waterfowl mecca, especially for whooper and trumpeter swans.
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=national+eagle+center&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
You are a pro and such a resource. Thank you!!!
So glad you had time during the residency to go on a (frozen) field trip. Fun! If you need a pit stop on the way home, we are here. Maybe an overnight before the last 5 hrs. to Red Earth Farm?
So kind, my darling. I'm coming down via Chattanooga.
We've seen them when living in Northern Wisconsin and when we lived near Harpers Ferry, WV. Those are the only places I can recall seeing them outside of an aviary. They're a bit scary when seen close up!
Bald eagles are intimidating up close! Here in Oregon we see them fairly often, which is neat.
How cool it must have been to see bald eagles! I have a few friends up around Iowa — I'll have to tell them to be on the lookout for both the birds and the appreciative festivals.
Loving this essay, Janisse, and all your detailed descriptions in it. I spent eight of my early formative years in Iowa, mainly the southwest, cornfield-y part. Wish I had been more nature and state aware back then. Birds have been important in my life since about fifth grade, and I feel I missed out by not knowing about and appreciating the area you described. Maybe a new locale for my bucket list? All best to you and your family.
I think a visit is in order for you.
Beloit grad here! The Mackey chair wasn't instituted until a couple of years after I left, but it's such a great thing for the college -- and so many former Art of the Wild folks have been a part of it! Winter in Bel-wah can be a trial, but glad you're getting to see some of the wonders of southern Wisconsin. Say hello to the mounds for me ...
will do.
So good to read you again!
The Eagles returned to Warner Park in Madison, Wisconsin, in the last decade. Citizens united to stop the 4th of July fireworks in that city park. Originally a wetland, there were plans for additional development for Warner Park until citizens stepped up under the leadership of Trish O'Kane (Birding To Change the World), her husband, and many, many nature lovers.🌱🌿💙
Thanks for reminding us of the eagle’s near demise.
Oh boy, I had a baby who also did not like the car--turns out he gets car sick but I didn't find that out until he was well into being pre-schooler. I hope Little Fawn isn't the same and y'all have a safe, easy ride home in a few weeks.
I live on a pond/small lake and we get bald eagles here every late winter/early spring. We've had juveniles flying around recently. Sometimes osprey come in as well. Some photos from my blog from 2023: http://oceanicwilderness.com/2023/02/06/eagle-watching/
I went over and took a look. Great photos.
It is always so great to have you in these parts of the Midwest. Your reading was so good, you had the audience in a silent spell. Thank you for being you and sharing you!
I love that Bald Eagles nest in the winter. They make their own rules.
Thank you and I am glad you and Dawn saw eagles. Luckily we have a plentiful suppy here in Idaho and Sandhill cranes will be back the end of March.I love the throttles and bugles of this bird that stands on long slender legs with wingspan of feet-a bird dating back millions of years. There is so much to be joyful about every day.
Sandhill cranes are fun to see and listen to. The young ones are gangly and boney, but cute in their own way. I used to live in SW Montana and they were around every summer. Bald eagles too, and here in central Oregon there are bald eagles.
Beautiful writing Janisse, coming from cold northern climates, I have no trouble picturing the scenes you depicted. I wish I could help you on your journey home. If Silas or Carlin or anyone else is with you on the journey, they are, of course, welcome to stay over with us too, if a stop in Nashville still works for you.
I'll be in touch, sweet Maureen.
Thanks for the update! Little Fawn is seeing the world! Interesting how rivers start out as rivulets that are defined by the landscape they flow through, then they gradually transition to turning the tables and being the formative force on the landscape. The dance of water and sediment! I love how the sketch of yellow-rumped warblers mentions them mostly in wax myrtles since myrtle warbler is one of their old-fashioned names. Safe travels!