In the five years they have assisted with Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days, Lake of the Ozarks Master Naturalists Marvin Silliman and Ed Thompson admit spotting live bald eagles and their relatives within their Lake habitat was at its peak in 2014.
"Last year, we saw 35 to 50 eagles at the Lake," Thompson said. "There wasn't 20 minutes that would go by without spotting eagles right here (outside of Willmore Lodge), and it was also very cold, which is perfect weather for the eagles here."
However, with cool, damp weather on Saturday, it didn't take long for Thompson, or as Silliman calls him, "Eagle Eye," to spot three eagles taking in their Lake Area habitat for this year's event. Thompson, Silliman and other master naturalists helped guests to Willmore Lodge spot eagles on high-powered telescopes, enter children into the Eagle Days 2015 coloring and photo contests, learn about wild eagles winter migration, and inform them of the many other activities taking place at all five of the two-day festival's locations.
Highlights of the event include live eagles from the World Bird Sanctuary with naturalists on hand to answer questions at Osage National Golf Resort. The World Bird Sanctuary programs begin on the hour each day of the event. Osage National Golf Course also serves food and beverages during the event and there are a few exhibitors selling eagle merchandise.
Willmore Lodge hosts the Camden County Astronomy Club and Master Naturalists for eagle viewing. There are several areas at Willmore that overlook the lake, which make for some of the best live eagle viewing.
The Bagnell Dam Osage River Access has eagle viewing, nest making, knot tying and kettle cooking with the local Boy Scouts. There are burn barrels and free hot chocolate is served to visitors.
School of the Osage Heritage Elementary has live bird shows every hour on the half hour from Dickerson Park Zoo, featuring Owls of Missouri and Day Shift (hawk), Night Shift (owl) and Garbage Gal (turkey vulture).
The Paddlewheeler Tom Sawyer also conducts eagle viewing cruises, weather permitting. Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days is free (except for small charge for the boat cruise) and open to the public.
The Lake of the Ozarks Amateur Radio Club will be operating a "Special Events" radio station to celebrate Eagle Days throughout the weekend.
The club will operate two transceivers to contact amateur radio operators around the world. Those wanting to tune in can with shortwave listening capability on 15 meters, 20 meters and 40 meters at Special Events Station call sign N0J (N zero J).
The station operates from the club's emergency communications trailer, parked in front of the new Ameren building by Willmore Lodge through the end of the event today.
The event continues from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. today. Visitors are urged to bring binoculars and cameras for optimal viewing and photo opportunities at all locations. Visit www.LakeoftheOzarksEagleDays.com for all the details.