Eagles! Did You Know...?

I enjoy watching the eagle population in the Tri-State area throughout the winter months.  I find them fascinating to watch, and challenging to photograph!  This year we've seen a higher population of the Bald Eagles, probably due to that polar vortex.  They can fish the Mississippi River at Keokuk on even the coldest of days because we heat the water, compliments of Union Electric!  If you're reading this and aren't a local, you might think I'm joking, but it is a fact.  The UE plant runs river water through huge turbines, and expels that water back into the river all warmed up.  I'm sure it's much more complicated, and if you're really interested in finding out how that works, you can contact David Grimes on Facebook. He can explain it thoroughly! 
Yesterday, I took my camera along as I went to work over in Hamilton.  Coming back, I stopped off to shoot some eagles.  Photo shots, of course!  I didn't get any outstanding pictures, so I'll try again someday soon.  My two favorite pictures of the day were a group of young eagles fighting over a catch, causing the one with the fish to actually drop it, and one of an adult flying with a fish in its beak.  Neither are quality photographs, but I share them because I like them.

I don't know if this eagle caught the fish, or took it from another eagle. 

Two adults watch the immature fight over a fish, which is lost when the one in possession of the fish dropped it back into the river.  The falling fish is the little dot just below the young eagles.

Did you know that the bald eagle is found only in North America?  Did you know that the term "bald" has nothing to do with a lack of feathers? It refers to the sharp distinction of the white head and tail with the dark body. Did you know that the eagle's broad, strong wings enable it to carry objects nearly its own weight?  Did you know that an eagle's primary feathers are designed so that when storms approach, the eagle is able to fly much higher than it would during normal conditions?  Did you know that an eagle can spot a quarter at over 200 yards?  Did you know that it's possible for a fish to drown an eagle?
Well, you probably already knew all that, and more.  It's time for me to move on.  Heading off to pick on a pile of frozen dirt for a while!