The fourth weekend in January is Eagle Watch Weekend in La Salle County.  A great time to take a drive along the Illinois River.
The Illinois Audubon Society and the Corps of Engineers Waterway Visitor Center will conduct the 15th annual Bald Eagle Watch Weekend on Jan. 28 and 29, 2012.

Activities and events will be presented at Starved Rock Lodge and the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each each day. The trolley from Starved Rock Lodge will provide shuttle service between the areas for a nominal fee.

Visitors to Starved Rock State Park and visitor center will see eagles in the wild. Eagles fish in the open waters just below the dam.

Live raptors will be showcased several times daily. This includes bald eagles. Programs will take place inside Starved Rock Lodge and the Waterway Visitor Center.

The programs are free. However, tickets are required. They may be picked up at each location during the weekend of the event.

The Illinois Waterway Visitor Center is located on Dee Bennett Road east of Utica. It is across the Illinois River from Starved Rock State Park. The Visitor Center is adjacent to the Starved Rock Lock and Dam. From the Visitors Center’s second floor balcony, visitors have outstanding opportunities. They can comfortably view eagles perched in trees on Leopold and Plum Islands. They can also see them fishing below Starved Rock Lock and Dam.

Marseilles, IL is also a great viewing area.  A great vantage point is along the Illinois River. It’s near the Middle East Conflict Wall. You really should go see it anyway!  The memorial is beautifully situated along the river, just west of the dam

Warm up at any of the small restaurants or watering holes in Marseilles or Utica to complete your adventure.

When I drove to Marseilles and Utica over the weekend I saw many eagles and had some great photo opportunities.  However, none of my photos compare to these which are posted here!  All photos included in this blog were taken by my talented friend Paula Gutilla. She is part of Hatchet Canyon Photography in Utica. The photos are posted with her permission.
To view more of Paulas work, click here.