Bald eagles are a conservation success story.
About 50 years ago, the bird was one of the first endangered species. Now it is has returned to New York State.
About 50 bald eagles live near Onondaga Lake this time of year. Most food sources across the Northeast freeze, but a county-run wastewater plant keeps a section of the lake open, so there’s plenty of fish to go around.
Marcia Bower spends most of the daylight hours taking pictures of bald eagles in Central New York.
“It’s a good spot to be able to catch them with their dinner," said Bower. "They land there and that’s why everyone likes to watch them up here. They’re sitting in the trees eating a fish. There’s something cool about watching them. Some of these fish are huge.”
Bower has been snapping pictures for about eight years. It started as a backyard hobby. Then photography gave her a reason to get out of the house after she had back surgery, especially in the winter.
"I used to just hibernate and wait for spring," said Bower. "Then once I started following the eagles, I mean seriously, I've been out in 0 degree weather, laughing at myself like I can’t believe I'm out here freezing my butt off. Well, it’s not that bad as long as you’re smart enough to have your hand warmers and your foot warmers. You have to definitely be prepared for it. Now it’s like I look forward to winter. I love summer but I look forward to the eagles to come into town. They’re here in full force now.”
Bower and her fellow photographers have a new place to flock. On the west side of the lake, a bridge over the railroad tracks gets you closer to all kinds of birds. The pedestrian bridge along Onondaga Lake is part of the Empire State Trail. There are parking lots off Interstate 690 near the Fairgrounds.
Wintering eagles begin to arrive in December, according to the DEC. Concentrations peak in January and February. As the weather warms up, the eagles are suusally headed back to their nests by mid-to-late March.