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