Mississippi River Bald Eagle. For a few short months each year the Bald Eagle population in our area explodes. These magnificent raptors congregate by the few open water areas near the locks and dams to hunt for fish. The winter conditions make it tough to get out there to shoot but the reward, as you can see are well worth it. On the day I captured this image it was a brisk 10 below. Hand warmers, Foot warmers and three to four layers of clothes under a heavy winter jacket barely made it tolerable.