Given Arkansas' lack of ski resorts and tropical beaches, it figures that January would be one of the quietest months for fun outdoors in the Natural State.
But this is prime time around here for one alluring winter pursuit. That's why today marks the start of Eagle Awareness Month, focused on America's national bird.
The main event in the annual salute to these white-headed, golden-beaked beauties is the 36th annual Eagles et Cetera celebration. It's set for Jan. 23-25 at DeGray Lake Resort State Park, 65 miles southwest of Little Rock.
The festive DeGray Lake weekend will include a variety of programs as well as the popular eagle-seeking cruises. At 7 p.m. Jan. 23, the Little Rock Zoo will show off its collection of owls in the park lodge's Convention Center.
At 10 a.m. Jan 24, in the same location, master falconer Rusty Scarborough will display his trained hunting birds. At 4 p.m. Jan. 24, the Birds of Prey Show will bring together hawks, falcons, vultures and a bald eagle. The indoor programs are free.
Guided eagle cruises are scheduled throughout the month at a half-dozen other state parks. They'll take place this weekend at Pinnacle Mountain, Lake Ouachita, Lake Dardanelle and Hobbs parks as well as DeGray Lake. Later in January, Lake Catherine and Bull Shoals-White River parks will also offer eagle tours.
The excursions generally use covered boats with seating for a dozen or so passengers. A park ranger or other naturalist is aboard to provide commentary during the voyage, typically running about 90 minutes. There's a charge, $9 or $10 per adult, $5 per child. Advance reservations are highly recommended.
Passengers will not see any flocks of bald eagles because these are rather solitary birds, usually viewed as they perch alone high in a tree or glide toward one. There's no guarantee of spotting eagles, but the guide will point out other species as they're seen. These include osprey, loons, herons, grebes and ducks.
This being winter, an hour or more on a breezy lake in a small vessel can be bone-chilling. Layered warm clothes complete with gloves and ear-covering headgear are strongly suggested. If you're aiming to photograph an eagle, a long telephoto lens and steady hands are requisites.
Arkansas is not exactly overrun with bald eagles, but the species has made an impressive comeback in the state. Well more than 1,000 are believed to be wintering this season in Arkansas, an impressive total considering that fewer than 500 nesting pairs remained in the entire lower 48 states in the 1950s.
The Continental Congress made the bald eagle the national bird in 1782, despite the protestations of Benjamin Franklin. That founding father called the eagle "a bird of bad moral character. He does not get his living honestly."
Bald eagles do sometimes steal food from other predators. They will also scavenge carcasses. But their main diet is fish caught by swooping down over the water and snatching the prey with their talons.
Whatever their dubious habits, these birds are a joy to observe. As noted by the producer of the website wild-bird-watching.com, "They are amazing and captivating each and every time I get a glimpse. It never gets old."
More information on eagle-focused activities in state parks can be found at arkansas.com, the website of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Phone numbers for reserving seats on an eagle-watch cruise are: DeGray Lake Resort State Park, (501) 865-5810; Pinnacle Mountain, (501) 868-5806; Lake Ouachita, (501) 767-9366; Lake Dardanelle, (479) 967-5516; Hobbs, (479) 789-5000; Lake Catherine, (501) 844-4176; Bull Shoals-White River, (870) 445-3629.
Weekend on 01/01/2015