Thursday January 22nd, 2026. I was bored so I went Eagling over in Iowa yesterday.
L&D14: zero eagles after reports of 25+ yesterday.
L&D15: 6-8 eagles mostly juveniles active 3/4’s of the way across lots of Pelicans. A few fly overs.
Credit Island: city crew out cutting up downed trees. Zero eagles
Concord street: some open water South of the Blue 280 bridge. 3 Eagles sitting on the ice. So far zero activity.
So I drove another hour to Iowa City, Power Plant roller dam, 20 eagles active and some fishing. Parking there is an issue. I walked the railroad tracks down to the foot path and then walk back to north to the roller dam. Long lens needed. Eagles turned off at 2:45 pm.
I then headed to the Tailwater’s West for the golden hour: 12 eagles in the cottonwood tree by the boat ramp. The pool is mostly iced over. 6 – 8 active eagles sitting in the trees by the chute. Flow rate from the dam was way down, but when a fish did show up, there was action, fishing and chasing. 3:30 – 4:45pm. It is a special place and could be as good as L&D 14 was back in the days before the trees died. too bad it is 3 hours from home. Seems to be best the first hour, and the last hour of the day.
The next 7 – 10 days should keep getting better, as more rivers ice up and snow should cover the ground.
Camera Settings
Canon R5.2
Canon RF600
Handheld
1/2500
F4
ISO 800 – 3200 (AUTO)
Full fishing sequence.
Fly by with fish.
quartering away.
Juvenile is golden hour light.
Lots of American White Pelicans at Lock & Dam 14 and Lock & Dam 15. The males are just starting to get their breeding hump on their bills.
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Life is good and I am blessed!
Kent
Not all fishing passes are successful. I like it when they missed, as it brings several other eagles into the action. This is 1 pound gizzard shad.
Their Talons are so sharp, this guy ended up cutting the head off this fish. The body ended up falling back into the water and the eagle ended up with only the head.
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I can’t remember who but somebody asked if I had any cardinals, so I called this guy in for his closeup!
The wind was SO strong it messed with the eagles ability to fish. This one fished with the wind instead of against the wind like normal.
Classic Right to Left Talon pose
I feel the straight on shots are the hardest to keep in focus. Straight On!
Day 2 was brown owls in the morning and eagles in the afternoon. Three to Six inches of snow coming in tomorrow so might have to cut this outing a day early, but going to try to find some Snowy Owls in the morning. Might use Sunday evening for more editing.