Dead Bald Eagle at Sweet Marsh - Avian Influenza?

Recently I have been sharing still images and videos of dead and dying waterfowl - Canada geese, ducks, and trumpeter swans - at Sweet Marsh near Tripoli, Iowa. A concern has been will we see raptors and other wildlife that has been feeding on the waterfowl also succumbing?

Today this dead adult bald eagle at Sweet Marsh was documented. Did the eagle die from avian influenza, lead poisoning, age, or something else. We will not know. It is a sad day when you find a dead bald eagle.

Reminder - If you see dead or dying birds or birds behaving abnormally, do not touch them.

Happiness is a Large Gut Pile

Way back when, a long time ago, when I was still deer hunting (bow and shotgun), I used to have a saying that I sometimes saw others using… “Happiness is a Large Gut Pile.” I thought of that today when I found the remains of a…

So Similar, But A Significant Difference

During my frequent outdoor exploration efforts I am always on the lookout for something interesting to study and probably photograph. Many, many times I have found owl pellets below roosts - things I consider interesting.

Owl pellets are the…

@ Things I Wonder

During my nature therapy today I hiked along a section of the Wapsipinicon River that I have not visited for decades. Part of my trek include a large sandbar surrounded on three sides by frozen river. Littered across the sandbar were many clam shells.

I have studied our outdoor world for many years, but have not dedicated much to learning about the clams/mussels inhabiting our rivers. My belief is the presence of clams generally is indicative of healthy water. But, the presence of zebra mussels would be a bad thing. (No zebra mussels have been documented locally).

As of now I do not know the species of mussels that were on this sandbar. I also do not know, but have wondered, how the shells end up on the sandbars. Do the mussels move around and then become stranded? Might animals that feed on mussels bring them to the shore for lunch? Is there another explanation? I do not know….

Outdoor Sensations in Winter

Winter aired smelled clean and refreshing as I hiked without intent in the timber.

Miles away and tens of thousands of feet overhead a lone plane crossed the sky with the faint sounds of the aircraft breaking the silence. Meanwhile an adult bald eagle sat still on a branch overhanging the river. That eagle was silent, but its eyes were focused on me.

Magic in the Sky… Fungi Knob

As I watched trumpeter swans at Sweet Marsh today - many of them - I noticed tell-tale body language communication that told me the swans were planning to take flight. When they would lift off and where they would go was not shared via head-bobbing, so I took a chance. I quickly moved my truck a mile and a half or so down a different road in hopes the beautiful white birds would fly over or near me.

Over the next many minutes groups of trumpeter swans did just that. Small groups and larger groups flew close enough for nice photos. The gray/white sky was not helpful for the images, but so what. After seeing a number of swans dead on the ice, I will enjoy them against a sky of any color!

During my walk in the woods I found this robust bracket fungi popped out of a log on the ground. It reminded me of a shifter knob from my 70 ½ Camaro ( wrong color). Oh how I wish I still had that car.

Looking Good

Every now and then the birds work with me to provide a good, close look without leaves and branches obscuring the view. This morning was one of those times and I was ready to go with my Nikon prepared for exposure and focus.

The eagle watched me as I moved along…

How Little I Know

You will hear no hesitations from me to admit that what I know about the outdoors pales compared to what there is to know. For example, today, during a walk in the woods, the bright colors of this fungi…

Just Talking About It

Today was not a day of wandering around outdoors, but discussing the outdoors indoors with like-minded individuals.

Crawdaddy Outdoors hosted Paddlefest 2025 at…

Sweet Marsh Outbreak Update

Late this morning I checked on the outbreak at Sweet Marsh. Following are a few thoughts…

Concerning Observations:

With the cold snap we are in, there is considerably less open water for…

First Hike of 2025

Between meetings 3 and 4 today I made time to take a walk in the woods. For this hike I left my “big” cameras home and carried only a small camera so I could…

New Year’s Day Paddle #33 is in the Books

Today a reporter/photographer from the Cedar Rapids Gazette asked me this question… “Why do you paddle on New Year’s Day each year?” My answer was…

Nuthatch Nostril and More

Some time ago I mentioned to a friend that when I photograph birds I do my utmost to assure the eye is sharply focused. If the eye is in focus, chances are the…

Forest, Fungi, and Fog

There is no wind...

Moisture hangs in the air...

Silence prevails...

The forest is calm

Video with more images at this link:

Forest, Fungi, and Fog

Our Outbreak Made the Television News

Information travels, especially from one form of media to another. Last week the Waterloo Courier published an article quoting Iowa DNR Biologist and me, along with my photos, discussing the outbreak killing waterfowl at Sweet Marsh. The article in the Waterloo paper was also carried in the…

Birds for the Count (Maybe)

For my “Christmas Bird Count” friends I may have a species or two for you to add to the totals. For most species seen I have photos for proof. Those paying close attention may notice that each bird has its head up and appears healthy. That is a good thing! (Species seen today: Canvasback, ring-necked duck, great blue heron, northern shoveler, Canada geese, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, barred owl).

As for the outbreak at Sweet Marsh - I saw no newly dead birds and no birds appearing to be in trouble. That too is a good thing!

Note: We must not get comfortable and begin thinking the outbreak…

Worthy of More than a Glance

Once again a family member and I spent worthwhile hours together at the great healing spot to the north. As we moved from one appointment to another we passed a most attractive “Poinsettia Tree” in one of the lobbies. (Not far away was a second, similar tree.)

Many folks gave the trees a glance as they quickly walked by. We couldn’t fault them. Each person is their for their own reason. Maybe looking at a poinsettia tree was not for them at that moment.

For us though, we stopped and studied the tree - first in its entirety. Then by looking at many of the plants creatively stacked to create the illusion of a tree. This was very pretty!

Oh, and our visit was good too!

Same Concept, Different Species

During my exploring today I came upon an ash tree losing its bark in wrap-around sheets. On the inner side of the bark were tracks where emerald ash borers had worked around the tree. Eventually, the ash borers killed this ash tree.

Knowing we lost a very nice ash tree to the emerald ash borer, as did countless others across the country, I could not help but compare the emerald ash borer outbreak with the current avian influenza outbreak affecting so very many birds across the country. Both outbreaks cover wide areas, both have an economic impact, and both are newsworthy. Yet, the outbreak of the emerald ash borer crept across the landscape with very little mention on a large scale. When many Canada geese and trumpeter swans began dying, the visual effect was much more dramatic. The focus was there, at least for those with a passion for the outdoors. This has been interesting - similar, yet so dissimilar. The landscape is ever changing.

On a different not, I did shoot other photos today as seen here.

Higher Priorities

Merry Christmas to All!!!

Rather than spend time outdoors, we enjoyed great family time together. The only “non-family” photos shot were these Canada geese in flight and travel on the highway.

Notice on the one goose how…

Time For Good News

It is close to Christmas and we need some good news.

The northern shoveler and the gadwall continue to move around at Sweet Marsh. Neither can fly very far, but they are upright, moving, and flying short distances. Maybe they will pull through the outbreak? Maybe??