VIEW FROM HERE: SEEING BALD EAGLE BRINGS THRILL TO BEGINNING BIRD-WATCHERS

With its large size, impressive wingspan, fierce gaze and brilliant white head and tail, the bald eagle is a magnificent bird. Throw in the fact that these birds are an uncommon sight and that they are the symbol of our country and it's easy to see why people get excited when they spot this majestic raptor.

On a recent trip to Trail of Tears State Park, my husband and I spotted two bald eagles flying along the Illinois bank of the Mississippi River across from the park's scenic overlook. I focused my binoculars on one and watched it slowly flap its long, brown, white tipped wings as it soared above the river. It's white head, in stark contrast to is chocolate brown body, seemed to shine in the sunlight.

I've seen a number of bald eagles in my life, but each one gives me the same excitement as when I saw my first. It was a magical moment. On a trip to Canada, we were camped on a bluff overlooking a sprawling river valley. The sun was just rising, giving everything a rosy glow. I noticed this huge bird flying up the valley, it's white head gleaming in the morning sun. I put my binoculars on it, realized it was an eagle and my heart leapt. It was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen.

I'm not the only one who gets a thrill with each eagle spotting.

Denise Dowling, assistant superintendent at Trail of Tears, said people who see them are usually excited and will come into the office to tell rangers what they saw.

"It's always exciting to see an eagle, even when you see them year after year," said Dowling. "They are so majestic looking and they aren't something you see everyday."

Indeed, until about 10 years ago, you would have had a hard time seeing bald eagles in Missouri at all. Pesticides, pollution and loss of habitat had decimated the bald eagle population of our country's lower 48 states. But programs to save the eagle have brought back populations, though the bird is still on the threatened species list.

For those who want to see a bald eagle, this is the time of year to watch for them in Missouri, Dowling said. During December and January, eagles move south as their hunting areas to the north freeze over. Their numbers generally peak in February when the eagles that have gone further south start migrating back north.

Trail of Tears offers two spots where people can often spot eagles, the overlook where I saw a pair and the boat ramp near the electric camp ground.

Another good spot in Cape Girardeau to see eagles is Cape Rock Park, said A.J. Hendershott, education consultant with the Missouri Department of Conservation. He said on a visit to that park last year, in a 30-minute time span, he saw 50 eagles on a sand bar across the river.

There's no particular time of day that's best, he said. But he usually sees more when the weather is at its coldest and nastiest.

"When the river freezes further north, the eagles move south looking for food," he said.

You don't have to be an avid bird-watcher to see eagles, though a pair of binoculars does help. Even those who can't tell a black-capped chickadee from a tufted titmouse can often spot and recognize a bald eagle, Hendershott said. They are large birds, much larger than hawks, and their white heads and tails are distinctive.

"The key to finding them," he said, "is to look for the habitat they frequent. This is open water where they can hunt fish and waterfowl."

He said the Mississippi provides a great habitat because of its fish and trees.

"The woodlands along much of the river's banks make it feel secure. You don't often see eagles in urban areas," he said.

Other places where eagles can often be spotted are Mingo and Duck Creek wildlife refuges near Puxico, Lake Wappapello and the Union County Wildlife Refuge in Illinois, Dowling said.

The Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge near Carbondale will this weekend offer free tours of closed sections of the refuge now being used by bald eagles. Call (618) 997-3344, ext. 334, to reserve a tour.

"A lot of people like bald eagles," Hendershott said. "They are an impressive bird. When you see them, you realize this is an animal made for killing. People get excited when they see them."