For the Birds

Last Sunday my friend and I journeyed up to the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in West Alton, Missouri. Rumor had it that there were 600 some swans in the area. I know - we always hear about migrating eagles this time of year, but swans? Not so much. While it was a sunny day, the wind packed a punch so it was not very crowded at the sanctuary. The building is very nice, though they are still doing work on the grounds. (Found out later from Jim that SWT Design is working on this project!)

They used as many green building materials as they could, and the silver silo-looking things are water collection tanks. Inside the building they have a few high powered telescopes so you can really see the birds out on the lake. Rocking chairs on the back porch offer a nice space to sit and reflect on nature.

These are the only three swans that we saw. Apparently the others all normally take off by Valentine's Day. Shoot! We will have to remember to go back earlier next year.

We saw lots of other birds though, so that was pretty cool.  And then we spied these eagles, a momma and a juvenile we think. We watched as they flew, landed on the ice, and baby caught a fish while momma watched.

 We were planning to visit the Lincoln Shields Recreation Area nearby, until we saw this.

We decided that would need to be the road not taken. Overall, a great day. I can't wait to go back in the spring and see the native landscape when it is blooming. And not so blooming cold!