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A bald eagle at Monroe Lake.
Wintertime eagle-viewing opportunities have soared to new heights, with public demand so great that DNR properties are forming partnerships with a variety of people and organizations.
Take, for instance, Monroe Lake's annual event.
"I can step outside the nature center and see eagles overhead, just about any day," said Jeff Riegel, the DNR's intermittent interpretive naturalist at Monroe Lake, near Bloomington, Ind.
Literally hundreds of people have been jamming the nature center's programs to see slide shows, animal presentations and hear lectures during the annual events.
This winter's Eagle Watch has been moved to Inn of the Fourwinds in Fairfax State Recreation Area on the west side of Monroe Lake. The Feb. 9-11 activities will include lectures, eagle viewing tours and an up-close look at eagle C-52. Eagle C-52 is unable to fly because of a congenital defect and is kept by the DNR for educational programs.
Additional programs include information about the DNR's research into bobcats, national efforts to establish habitat for whooping cranes, and backyard wildlife conservation.
Cooperating partners in the program include representatives from Wild Birds Unlimited, Brown County State Park, Hardy Lake state reservoir, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, Yellowwood State Forest, wildlife artist Bill Zimmerman, Ducks Unlimited and The Nature Conservancy.
Other eagle viewing opportunities include those at Patoka Lake Visitor Center, Jan. 20. More information: Monroe Lake, 812-837-9546 Patoka Lake Visitor Center, 812-685-2447
Inn of the Fourwinds is offering special room rates. To reserve rooms, call 812-824-9904.
