Two events this week will help Iowans to better acquaint themselves with bald eagles. Both events are free and open to the public.
Lunch with Eagles, Feb. 12, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Lunch with Eagles will be held Feb. 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Grays Lake, 2100 Fleur Drive, in Des Moines. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sack lunch and learn about bald eagles in Iowa.
The program will focus on eagle nests in Iowa with spotting scopes set up to observe a pair that have chosen to raise its young at Grays Lake. The program is offered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Des Moines Parks and Recreation. Eagles have displayed courtship behaviors during previous events.
Attendees are encouraged to use the northwest parking lot off of John R. Grubb Lane. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 515-432-2823 ext. 104.
Bald Eagle Day, Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Des Moines Parks and Recreation is hosting Bald Eagle Day on Feb. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Southeast Sixth Street Bridge and Fellowship Baptist Church.
There will be an opportunity to view wild bald eagles on the Southeast Sixth Street Bridge. At nearby Fellowship Baptist Church, 1503 Southeast Sixth Street, author and photographer Ty Smedes, of Urbandale, will give a slide presentation on bald eagles at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. SOAR - Saving Our Avian Resources - will present at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. with the live education ambassador bald eagle and another guest education ambassador, discuss current hazards facing bald eagles and what happens when eagles are brought into wildlife rehabilitation.
This event is free and open to all ages. For more information call 515-248 6369 or 712-330-0526.