Of Eagles and More: Wildlife Adventures in the South

From eagle viewing to elk watching, the South is filled with various  opportunities to get up close (but not too close) to wildlife this winter.

So, if you’re up for a little adventure, get your binoculars ready, because you’ll definitely see all types of wildlife (of the animal kind) in the region.

• In Missouri, there is the Eagles Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis (January 16-17). Here, you’ll have the  chance not only to see an eagle up close, but also watch them from afar (bring binoculars.) In Clarksville on January 30-31, Eagle Days at includes a presentation by the World Bird Sanctuary as well as eagles.
• Quartz Mountain in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma can be a perfect place to spot eagles. Naturalists hold presentations and watches on January 16-17, 30-31 and February 13-14. Don’t miss out a chance to spot bald eagles at Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur, Okla., on January 16 and 30.  The Kaw City Community Center and Nation Tribal Headquarters is holding their Ultimate Eagle Watch on January 16. This includes presentations, guided viewing eagle tours and a free Native American lunch.
• The 31st annual Eagles Et Cetera Festival at DeGray Lake Resort State Park (Arkadelphia, Ark.) on January 29-31 focuses on bald eagles and other birds of prey. Activities during the weekend includes walks, tours, demonstrations and more.
• Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville (Ala.) State Park feature guided hikes to eagle nesting sites, talks with experts and more. The popular has been extended to January 15-17, 22-24 and 29-31; and February 5-7.
• See bald eagles and more during the 6th annual Eagle Festival at Reelfoot Lake State Park in Tiptonville, Tennessee. The festival is scheduled for February 5-7.
• While eagles are popular in Kentucky with the Eagle Watch Weekend at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park (Gilbertsville-map; January 15-17) and  Eagle Watch Weekend at Lake Barkley State Resort Park (Cadiz – map; January 29-31), there’s the Sunrise Elk Tour at Pine Mountain State Resort Park (Pineville). It has been reported on this tour there has been an average sighting of 100 elk per trip. You can choose between the basic tour or the full package. Tours are scheduled for January 15-16, 22-23 and February 5-6. The also the Winter Elk Watch at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park (Buckhorn) on January 16-18. Learn more about Sandhill Cranes as you view them during Nature Watch Weekend, January 29-31, at Barren River State Resort Park in Lucas.

photo credit: binoculars, flickr, creative commons by cookiem