This is a photo I took from the river road across the Mississippi River as a tugboat and its barges passed by the Our Lady Of The Rivers statue. This statue is in Portage Des Sioux, a small river village with a history dating back to the 1799, founded by the Spanish. The town prayed for protection during one of the great floods and was spared. They built this statue giving thanks to God and for sending them protection from the flood.

Here is a link to the History of the small town. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portage_De ... ,_Missouri



This could be the pair that nest in the Prairie Des Sioux area, they were perched together on the cliff across the river from the town.




Another Peregrine Falcon siting 20 miles from where I see the other twosome. I saw this one when its mate swooped over its head.

There were large groups of American White Pelicans migrating north that day, you can see a large group in the distance in photo two.

A Red-tailed Hawk





A gathering of Canada Geese resting in a peaceful area at the lock and dam area. They had survived this years geese hunting season and will now breed and have new families.

Day Two on my way to the rivers this beautiful hawk, which I believe is a Coopers Hawk was perch along a country road. The sun is rising and shinning on the Hawk, lighting up it beautiful red eyes.

Right at the area of the lock and dam area I sighted this beautiful wonderful immature Bald Eagle perched in a tree over a slough area. It was not frightened by me and allowed me several photos. It was still perched when I drove off. Another survivor of the winter and it young beginnings.

I drove on down to Grafton and this mature Bald Eagle was perched over the river. I was able to focus through branches to catch these photos of it.

This Great Blue Heron was perched on a cut stump along the Illinois River in Grafton. It was watching for its breakfast.