The American Bald Eagle
Featuring the Photography of Jim Miller
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
1
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
Introduction
Index
Dickson Mounds Museum is pleased to offer for loan the special
exhibit “The American Bald Eagle: Featuring the Photography of
Jim Miller.” The exhibit features stunning photographs of American
Bald Eagles by Jim Miller, including 20 large format color images
and 10 panels describing the life cycle, habits, and ecology of
Bald Eagles created by Dickson Mounds Museum exhibit designer
Kelvin Sampson and illustrated with Miller’s images.
Specifications...................3
Jim Miller is a native of Dunlap, Illinois and a retired Caterpillar,
Inc. employee who has developed a passion for wildlife
photography. He has donated hundreds of wildlife images to
conservation organizations, has had many images published in a
variety of publications, and periodically gives wildlife presentations
to schools and organizations. He currently serves on the Board of
Directors of the Peoria, Emiquon, and Illinois Audubon Societies,
and Board of the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway. He
is also a charter member of The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon
Corps of Discovery.
Photographer Bio.............5
Exhibit Panels...................6
Framed Images..............18
Promo. Materials............27
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
2
Specifications
The Majestic Eagle
Eagles have been symbols for power, skill, & cunning
through the ages for many cultures around the world. Bald
Eagles are the subject of Native American legends and
symbols involving honor, achievement, leadership, and
bravery. They have also been used as symbols for many
states and nations. The Bald Eagle was adopted as the
symbol of the United States in 1782.
Contents
Exhibit consists of exhibit title banner, 10 framed and laminated exhibit
panels illustrated with the photography of Jim Miller, framed and laminated
photographer biography panel, and 20 matted and framed large format images.
Bald Eagle, Northern Oregon Coast ,Clatsop County, Oregon.
Eagles Across the World
There are four groups of eagles: Sea or Fish Eagles, Booted Eagles,
Snake Eagles, and Harpy Eagles. The four groups represent 68 species
combined. Bald Eagles are from the Sea Eagles group that has been
in existence for 2.5 million years. Bald Eagle fossil remains date back
approximately 1 million years and are found only in North America.
Appropriate For
Content is appropriate for adults, families, and school groups. Venues include
natural history museums, science and nature centers, and history museums.
Costs
Rental fee of $500 required per standard length booking. Extended length
booking fees maybe negotiated.
Golden Eagle, World Bird Sanctuary, Missouri.
Bateleur Eagle, World Bird Sanctuary, Missouri.
Long-crested Eagle, World Bird Sanctuary, Missouri.
AustralianWedge-tailed Eagle, World Bird Sanctuary, Missouri.
Harpy Eagle, San Diego Zoo, California.
Scheduling
Bookings need to be made as far in advance as possible. Standard booking
is one location for eight to twelve weeks. Extended time bookings may be
negotiated based on availability. To book the exhibit, contact:
Kelvin Sampson
Exhibitions Department
Illinois State Museum – Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
telephone: (309) 547-3721
e-mail: [email protected]
Insurance
Exhibitors are asked to insure the exhibit while it is in their possession.
Insurance must cover the value of the exhibit components as determined by
Dickson Mounds Museum. Certification of insurance required.
The North American Bald Eagle
The term “bald” comes from middle English “ballede,” which
means “white” or “shining white.” The scientific name of
the bald eagle is “haliaeetas leucocephalus” which in Greek,
haliaeetas means “sea eagle” and leucocephalus means“white
head.”
Shipping
Illinois River, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, Illinois.
Bald Eagles are native only to North America. The range of eagle
population varies from the Arctic Circle to Baja,Mexico and southern
Florida, and from the Aleutian Islands to the east coast of Canada and
New England. The Golden Eagle is the only other eagle species native to
North America, but it is also native to other regions of the world.
Exhibitors to provide for commercial inbound shipping
or make acceptable arrangements for pick-up and
forwarding or return. All exhibit components are
contained in two crates.
Illinois River, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, Illinois.
It is estimated that there were 500,000 Bald Eagles in North America
when Europeans first arrived. By 1782, this number had declined to
100,000 nesting pairs.
A Bald Eagle’s life span is approximately 20 years in the wild. This is
after they have passed the “infant mortality” stage. They can live up to
40+ years in captivity.
Illinois River, Mason County, Illinois.
Bald Eagles are larger in the northern extent of their range. Southern
Bald Eagles in Florida and Texas are 20 to 30% smaller than their
northern cousins. Eagle territories are usually 1 to 2 square miles or larger
when there is less food.
Illinois River, Peoria County, Illinois.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
3
Installation Requirements
Exhibit requires a minimum of 120 running feet of wall space. All exhibit
panels and photographs are mounted in metal edge frames. No specialized
installation requirements are necessary. Suggested exhibit panel sequence
provided. Venues may alter the arrangement and number of photographic
images exhibited. Title banner, image labels, and photographer biography
panel accompany the exhibit. Questions regarding how the exhibition might
be installed in your gallery can be directed to the Dickson Mounds Museum
Exhibitions Department.
Security
Security provisions should safeguard objects against damage, vandalism,
and theft.
Registration/Preparation
All exhibit components are fully captioned, framed, crated and ready to install.
Installation, handling instructions and condition report forms (with instructions
on how to prepare them) accompany all traveling exhibits. Completed condition
reports, both incoming and outgoing, are required of all exhibitors.
Supporting Materials
A variety of support materials for the exhibit are available by download from the
website. These include brochure, detailed exhibit description, exhibit component
images, sample press release, sample invitation, and promotional photographs
for download. Exhibitors are required to credit the Illinois State Museum –
Dickson Mounds and Jim Miller, the photographer, in any publicity including
press releases, exhibition announcements, and posters at the entrance to the
exhibit.
Additional Resources
Lecture by the photographer, Jim Miller is available by request. Contact Jim
Miller directly by calling (309) 243-9409.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
4
The Photographer
Jim is a Midwesterner, born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, where he graduated from
East Rockford High School in 1956. He attended the University of Wisconsin, earning a
Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1961.
Upon finishing college Jim joined the Navy in the Aviation Officer Candidate Program.
He served just less than nine years on active duty as a Naval Flight Officer, flying as
a bombardier and reconnaissance navigator in carrier-based jets (Douglas A3B – Sky
Warrior and North American RA5C – Vigilante). While on Navy shore duty at North
American Aviation in Columbus, he attended night school at Ohio State University and
received a Masters of Business Administration in 1968 with a major in Quantitative
Analysis. Jim also served in the Naval Reserves until his retirement in 1997.
In 1969, Jim joined Caterpillar, Inc. as a Data Processing Programmer; he spent 10
years in Mentor, Ohio, as Data Processing Manager for Caterpillars’ Lift Truck Facility,
later retiring as a Middle manager in Information Technology in 2002.
For several years Jim was a part-time instructor, teaching computer programming and
related courses. Between 1971 and 1978 Jim taught at Illinois Central College in East
Peoria, Illinois and from 1979 through 1988 at John Carroll College and Cleveland State
University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Jim and his wife, Jayne, have always been nature lovers. Jim stumbled into photography
in the mid 1990s when their Instamatic 110 camera crashed just prior to a family
reunion. Jim stopped by Peoria Camera on the way home from work and picked up a
35 mm Nikon with replaceable lens capability. With the new camera he was inspired to
capture some wildlife images and soon discovered that the 50 mm lens that came with
the camera was not up to the challenge. In the next few years Jim’s interest in wildlife
photography and lens sizes grew exponentially. Although all the images in this exhibit
were shot on slide film, Jim is currently making the transition to digital photography. He
has donated hundreds of wildlife images to conservation organizations, has had many
images published in a variety of publications, and periodically gives wildlife presentations
to schools and organizations.
Jim also enjoys biking, wetting a fishing line, hiking, and birding, wildlife photography
is his passion and primary recreational activity. Jim and Jayne are active in several
conservation organizations, and Jim currently serves on the Board of Directors of the
Peoria, Emiquon, and Illinois Audubon Societies. He is also on the Board of the Illinois
River Road National Scenic Byway. They are both charter members of The Nature
Conservancy’s Emiquon Corps of Discovery.
Jim and Jayne have four children and eight grand children
who are spread across the country from Pennsylvania to
Oregon. They reside in Dunlap, Illinois, and now share their
home with two ex-feral cats, Cally and Rum Tum.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
5
Exhibit Panels
The core of the exhibition contains
10 panels describing the life cycle,
habits, and ecology of Bald Eagles
created by Dickson Mounds
Museum exhibit designer Kelvin
Sampson and illustrated with Jim
Miller’s stunning photographs of
American Bald Eagles. All panels
are 30” x 40” vertical format,
metal edge framed, mounted and
laminated large format digital
prints. Hanging requires two level
nails near the back inside edges of
the frame. The exhibit also ships
with a 70” x 33.5” title banner and
a 20” x 27” framed photographer
biography panel.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
6
The Majestic Eagle
Eagles have been symbols for power, skill, & cunning
through the ages for many cultures around the world. Bald
Eagles are the subject of Native American legends and
symbols involving honor, achievement, leadership, and
bravery. They have also been used as symbols for many
states and nations. The Bald Eagle was adopted as the
symbol of the United States in 1782.
Bald Eagle, Northern Oregon Coast ,Clatsop County, Oregon.
Eagles Across the World
There are four groups of eagles: Sea or Fish Eagles, Booted Eagles,
Snake Eagles, and Harpy Eagles. The four groups represent 68 species
combined. Bald Eagles are from the Sea Eagles group that has been
in existence for 2.5 million years. Bald Eagle fossil remains date back
approximately 1 million years and are found only in North America.
Golden Eagle, World Bird Sanctuary, Missouri.
Bateleur Eagle, World Bird Sanctuary, Missouri.
Long-crested Eagle, World Bird Sanctuary, Missouri.
AustralianWedge-tailed Eagle, World Bird Sanctuary, Missouri.
Harpy Eagle, San Diego Zoo, California.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
7
The North American Bald Eagle
The term “bald” comes from middle English “ballede,” which
means “white” or “shining white.” The scientific name of
the bald eagle is “haliaeetas leucocephalus” which in Greek,
haliaeetas means “sea eagle” and leucocephalus means“white
head.”
Illinois River, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, Illinois.
Bald Eagles are native only to North America. The range of eagle
population varies from the Arctic Circle to Baja,Mexico and southern
Florida, and from the Aleutian Islands to the east coast of Canada and
New England. The Golden Eagle is the only other eagle species native to
North America, but it is also native to other regions of the world.
Illinois River, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, Illinois.
It is estimated that there were 500,000 Bald Eagles in North America
when Europeans first arrived. By 1782, this number had declined to
100,000 nesting pairs.
A Bald Eagle’s life span is approximately 20 years in the wild. This is
after they have passed the “infant mortality” stage. They can live up to
40+ years in captivity.
Illinois River, Mason County, Illinois.
Bald Eagles are larger in the northern extent of their range. Southern
Bald Eagles in Florida and Texas are 20 to 30% smaller than their
northern cousins. Eagle territories are usually 1 to 2 square miles or larger
when there is less food.
Illinois River, Peoria County, Illinois.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
8
Life of the Eagle
Flight
Bald Eagles can fly as high as 10,000 feet and have a cruise speed of
30 to 35 miles per hour. They can go much faster when diving. Eagles
commonly soar on thermals and a group of eagles soaring together
is called a Kettle. Tail feathers provide additional lift while soaring,
improve flight stability, and in braking.
Illinois River, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, Illinois.
Mississippi River, Keokuk , Iowa.
Chilkat River, Alaska.
Feeding
Fish constitutes about 90% of the diet of the Bald Eagle. Eagles that
live far away from large bodies of water eat small mammals. Their diet
includes mice, voles, squirrels, ducks, & carrion. They can carry 4-5 lbs
while in flight, approximately half of their own weight.
Illinois River, Marshall County, Illinois.
Vocalizing
An eagle has several common communication sounds. A high-pitched
stuttering chirp announces their territory or communicates with a mate.
They also make soft clicks and clucks to their chicks and when awakening
from their nighttime roosts.
Chilkat River, Alaska.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
9
Eagle Anatomy
Who’s Who
Bald Eagle males and females have exactly the same plumage. They are
sexually dimorphic in size and females are 20 to 30% larger than males.
Females weigh 10 to 14 pounds and are usually 35 to 38 inches head to
tail with a wingspan of 80 to 90 inches. Males only weigh about 8 to 10
pounds and are 28 to 38 inches head to tail with 75 to 83 inch wingspans.
Chilkat River, Alaska.
Feathers
Eagles have an average of 7,000 feathers which only weigh
approximately one pound. The bones of an eagle weigh only about ½
pound and constitute 5 to 6% of their total weight, while a human’s bones
make up approximately 20% of body weight.
Mississippi River, Keokuk, Iowa.
Eagles have 10 primary flight feathers and 17 secondary feathers. This
gives them 4 more total flight feathers than other raptors. Eagles are
well insulated from the cold with an inner layer of down feathers under
the large outer contour feathers. These grayish colored down feathers are
what we see in newborn eaglets. Young fledglings have longer flight and
tail feathers for more stability while learning to fly.
Chilkat River, Alaska.
The time of year that an eagle molts varies with the latitude of their
location. In F1orida, eagles molt in November. Northern eagles molt
in March through April. Eagles have an incomplete molt and not all
feathers, particularly larger flight feathers, are replaced during molting.
These feathers are replaced slowly over time, usually in balanced pairs
from the same position on each wing. Tail feathers are usually replaced
one at a time.
Chilkat River, Alaska.
Preening (running the bill through feathers) is essential for an eagle’s
good health. Preening removes oil, dirt, and debris while straightening
bent feathers. The process also involves sunning and water bathing.
Sunning warms the feathers and keeps them supple. An eagle preens its
head feathers by scratching them with a foot.
Illinois River, Marshall County, Illinois.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
10
Eye of the Eagle
Eagles have stationary eyes with very large, tubular eyeballs. Most of
the eyeball is hidden within the head, and an eagle must move its head
to change its range of vision. An eagle’s eyes have two focal spots - one
for one-eyed peripheral vision, and one for binocular two-eyed vision for
looking straight ahead. This creates three well-focused views: each of the
sides and forward, and all at the same time.
Numerous cones in the eye provide visual acuity and color vision. Eagles
have 5 times more cones than humans and can see up to 8 times more
clearly and can focus much faster than a human. An eagle can spot a fish
just under the surface from 2 to 3 miles away. Hunting is done strictly
by sight. Eagles have a second eyelid called a nictitating membrane that
keeps eyes clean and moist. They blink so quickly that it usually can only
be seen on a still photograph that happens to catch the blink.
Illinois River, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, Illinois.
Talons
An eagle’s foot has four toes, three facing forward and one “thumb” or
“big toe” to the rear. The scaly yellow covering of the feet (podotheca)
protects the eagle from injuries while struggling with prey. Eagles have
extremely strong, sharp talons made of keratin, the same substance as
the bill. They wear down and grow continuously, usually maintaining a
length of two inches.
Captive Bald Eagle, World Bird Sanctuary, Missouri.
Captive Bald Eagle, World Bird Sanctuary, Missouri.
When an eagle hunts the talons do the killing, not the bill. Fish Eagles
also have “spikes” on the bottoms of their feet to help hold a captive fish.
Chilkat River, Alaska.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
11
Nesting
The nest is an Bald Eagle’s home. A large nest is called an aerie and is
usually located 10 to 100 feet from the ground and near water. Eagles
add material to their nest every year. Average size is 5 to 6 feet wide and
up to 10 feet deep, but some can reach 10 feet wide, up to 20 feet deep,
and weigh up to 2 tons. The interior of nests are lined with grasses, pine
needles, and other soft plant material. If large trees are not available,
eagles may nest on cliff ledges or the ground. In the Florida Everglades,
eagles nest in Mango trees just a few feet above the water.
Illinois River, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, Illinois.
Illinois River, Putnam County, Illinois.
Eagles mate for life but fidelity is more to the nest site and territory than
the mate. Pairs stay together as long as nesting attempts are successful.
Courtship between pairs occurs every year. Northern eagles court in
January through February and nest through June. Southern eagles
court in the fall and nest through the winter. Courting behavior involves
pursuit diving; during the dive, one eagle will flip upside-down, lock talons
with the other, and both will tumble down. They then release and soar off
to repeat. Mating behavior typically occurs when perching.
Illinois River, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, Illinois.
Eagles are capable of reproducing when 4 or 5 years old, yet most don’t
pair off and reproduce until they are 7 or 8 years old. Eggs are laid 5 to
10 days after mating. A female will lay up to 4 eggs, one at a time in 2 to
3 day intervals. She will usually lay 2, four is rare. The eggs are about 4
inches long, nearly round, and nearly white in color. Incubation time is
34 to 36 days and the male partner does some incubation.
Illinois River, Marshall County, Illinois.
Illinois River, Marshall County, Illinois.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
12
Raising Their Young
Bald Eagles, like many birds, have featherless brood patches on their
underside that allow the eggs to nestle close to the skin for warming. The
hatchlings break out of the egg with an egg tooth, a sharp point on the top of
the bill, which later disappears. Upon hatching the helpless eaglet weighs 3
to 4 ounces.
Illinois River, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, Illinois.
Illinois River, Marshall County, Illinois.
As an eaglet grows, there is a gradual transition in beak and feathers to
adult coloration. A young eagle’s eyes turn from brown to yellow when
they reach sexual maturity in 4 to 5 years, at which time their heads and
tails are all white. Brown body plumage doesn’t take the precise pattern
of adults until an eagle is fully mature.
An eaglet’s first meal is usually 2 days after hatching. For several
days the male brings in all the food while the female tears the food into
small pieces and feeds it to the chicks. Eagles grow very quickly, gaining
approximately a pound per week. They can feed themselves by the third
week. Sometimes the dominate eaglet (usually the oldest) will kill a
sibling or push it out of the nest, but this is less common in Bald Eagles
than other eagles.
Illinois River, Marshall County, Illinois.
Illinois River, Marshall County, Illinois.
Eaglets are full grown when they fledge and usually larger than adults,
due to excess fat and longer primary and tail feathers. The larger feathers
give them greater flight stability while learning to fly. At about 8 weeks
of age the eaglets begin to exercise and test their wings, and they fledge at
10 to 12 weeks. Nearly 50% don’t survive their first year, similar to many
other species of wildlife.
Parents help feed the fledglings for about 2 months after they leave the
nest. At the same time they teach them to hunt and fly. After 2 to 3
months in the nest area, the fledglings become independent. They will
usually wander over a wide area for 4 to 5 years, until they are sexually
mature. They will then find a mate sometime in the next few years. The
mated pair will establish a territory of their own, sometimes in the birth
area of one of the pair.
Illinois River, Marshall County, Illinois.
Illinois River, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason
County, Illinois.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
13
Migration
Annual migrations are based on food availability, not cold. Locks and
dams along the rivers systems provide open water, easier fishing, and
shorter migration distances. When migrating, eagles do so in either small
groups or individually, flying at about 30 to 40 mph. Unlike most birds,
Bald Eagle migrations do not go beyond the range of the species.
Mississippi River, Keokuk, Iowa.
Chilkat River, Alaska.
In the winter when food sources are concentrated, eagles lose their
territoriality and become quite social in both their daytime and nighttime
roosting. While they may steal food from each other or harass others,
serious fights between bald eagles are rare.
Chilkat River, Alaska.
Illinois River, Peoria County, Illinois.
During winter they maximize conservation of energy. Eagles spend
winter nights fluffed-up and roosting in valleys or depressions that give
them shelter from the wind.
Illinois River, Peoria County, Illinois.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
14
Bald Eagle Populations
Bald Eagle populations declined after the arrival of European settlers.
More than 100,000 Bald Eagles were killed in Alaska from 1917 to
1953 by salmon fisherman who feared they were a threat to the salmon
population. Steps have since been taken to protect the majestic eagle and
Illinois has been a state of great progress. In 1978 there were only 2
active nests in Illinois. In 2008, there were more than 120 active nests.
Today, eagles are making a strong comeback.
Chilkat River, Alaska..
• The Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 provided for the protection of
the Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle by prohibiting, except under
certain specified conditions, the taking, possession, and commerce of
such birds.
• By 1960 there were only 400 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states.
• Many states placed the Bald Eagle on their lists of endangered
species in the 1960s and early 1970s.
• Bald Eagles were officially declared an endangered species in 1967 in
all areas of the United States south of the 40th parallel.
• In 1972 the Bald Eagle Act banned the pesticide DDT after it was
identified as major contributor to declining eagle populations.
• The Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973.
• In 1974, there were 791 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states (2nd
census).
• On July 4, 1976, the US Fish and Wildlife Service officially listed
the Bald Eagle as a national endangered species.
• In 1984, there were 1,757 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states.
• In 1994, there were 4,449 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states.
• Until 1995, the Bald Eagle had been listed as endangered under the
Endangered Species Act in 43 of the 48 lower states, and listed as
threatened in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Washington and
Oregon.
• In July of 1995, the US Fish and Wildlife Service upgraded the
status of Bald Bagles in the lower 48 states to threatened.
• In 2005, there were 8,000 nesting pairs and 100,000 birds total in
the lower 48 states.
• In Alaska & British Columbia there may be as many as 50,000
Bald Eagles.
• In Saskatchewan there may be as many as 12,000 Bald Eagles.
• On June 28, 2007, the US Department of Interior took the Bald
Eagle off the endangered species list.
Illinois River, Clear Lake, Mason County, Illinois.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
15
Bald Eagle Watching
Wintering Bald Eagles
• Do not get closer than 150 yards unless a specified viewing area is
provided.
• Wintering eagles need to conserve energy, and if spooked they will
expend energy to fly away.
• If an eagle has landed close, watch for nervous behavior: rocking
from foot to foot, leaning forward, fluffing their feathers, or giving a
“chit-chit-chit” call. If you observe any of these behaviors, increase
your distance from the eagle without delay.
Chilkat River, Alaska.
Active Nests
Illinois River, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, Illinois.
Local Bald Eagle Watching
Late December to early March
• Starved Rock State Park
• Sparland/Lacon Bridge area
• Shore Acres - Chillicothe
• Route 29 - from Hamm’s Harbor south through South Rome River Beach Road
• Liverpool Riverfront
• Havana Riverfront
• Do not get any closer than 250-300 yards to a nest, unless a specified
viewing area is provided.
• From February to March the primary risk is the adults abandoning
the nest if they feel threatened. Watch for the nervous behavior
described above, and if an adult flies toward you with the “chit-chitchit” call, promptly increase your distance from the nest.
• From April to June the primary risk is of the nestlings leaving the
nest prematurely if they become frightened. Later in May and
June the nestlings will have exercise periods where they flap their
wings, bounce up and down, or walk out on a branch within a few feet
of the nest. This is normal behavior, but if they are paying attention to
you or crowding the branches on the opposite side of the nest, you
should increase your distance from them immediately.
February through June
• Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge - The eagles here are
most visible with a spotting scope or binoculars from the east end
of the causeway.
• Marshall County Nest - located between Route 26 and the
Illinois River 5½ miles south of Lacon, Illinois. The Department
of Natural Resources has built a blind on the east side of Route
26 only 90 yards from an active nest, making this nest one of the
most observable eagle nests in the country.
One-Day Bald Eagle Watching Trips
Late December through early March
• Keokuk, Iowa
• Quad Cities
• Burlington, Iowa
Overnight Bald Eagle Watching Trips
Late December through early March
• Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee
• The southern halves of Wisconsin and Minnesota, Mississippi
River locks and dams.
• Grafton, Illinois, Pere Marquette State Park - The park has an
excellent eagle-watching program, call ahead for scheduling.
Illinois River, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, Illinois.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
16
The Photographer
Jim is a Midwesterner, born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, where he graduated from East Rockford High School in
1956. He attended the University of Wisconsin, earning a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1961.
Upon finishing college Jim joined the Navy in the Aviation Officer Candidate Program. He served just less than
nine years on active duty as a Naval Flight Officer, flying as a bombardier and reconnaissance navigator in carrierbased jets (Douglas A3B – Sky Warrior and North American RA5C – Vigilante). While on Navy shore duty at
North American Aviation in Columbus, he attended night school at Ohio State University and received a Masters of
Business Administration in 1968 with a major in Quantitative Analysis. Jim also served in the Naval Reserves until his
retirement in 1997.
In 1969, Jim joined Caterpillar, Inc. as a Data Processing Programmer; he spent 10 years in Mentor, Ohio, as
Data Processing Manager for Caterpillars’ Lift Truck Facility, later retiring as a Middle manager in Information
Technology in 2002.
For several years Jim was a part-time instructor, teaching
computer programming and related courses. Between 1971 and
1978 Jim taught at Illinois Central College in East Peoria,
Illinois and from 1979 through 1988 at John Carroll College
and Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Jim and his wife, Jayne, have always been nature lovers.
Jim stumbled into photography in the mid 1990s when their
Instamatic 110 camera crashed just prior to a family reunion.
Jim stopped by Peoria Camera on the way home from work
and picked up a 35 mm Nikon with replaceable lens capability.
With the new camera he was inspired to capture some wildlife
images and soon discovered that the 50 mm lens that came
with the camera was not up to the challenge. In the next few
years Jim’s interest in wildlife photography and lens sizes grew
exponentially. Although all the images in this exhibit were shot
on slide film, Jim is currently making the transition to digital
photography. He has donated hundreds of wildlife images to
conservation organizations, has had many images published
in a variety of publications, and periodically gives wildlife
presentations to schools and organizations.
Jim also enjoys biking, wetting a fishing line, hiking, and birding, wildlife photography is his passion and primary
recreational activity. Jim and Jayne are active in several conservation organizations, and Jim currently serves on the
Board of Directors of the Peoria, Emiquon, and Illinois Audubon Societies. He is also on the Board of the Illinois
River Road National Scenic Byway. They are both charter members of The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Corps
of Discovery.
Jim and Jayne have four children and eight grand children who are spread across the country from Pennsylvania to
Oregon. They reside in Dunlap, Illinois, and now share their home with two ex-feral cats, Cally and Rum Tum.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
17
Framed Images
Featured in the exhibition are 20
stunning photographs of American
Bald Eagles by Jim Miller. These
large format 16” x 24” color
images are matted into 24” x 32”
metal frames, protected by acrylic
sheets. Fifteen of the images are
in horizontal format and five are
vertical. Hanging requires two level
nails near the back inside edges of
the frame.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
18
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
19
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
20
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
21
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
22
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
23
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
24
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
25
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
26
Promotional Materials
Included
here
are
sample
promotional materials. The hosting
venue may modify as needed for
usage. Digital copies are provided
by request.
Shown here is a sample exhibit
announcement card. This 5.5” x
8.5” card can be laid out two per
letter sized sheet and printed or
color xeroxed. The blank space on
the back of the card may be used
for creating an exhibit opening
invitation, customized for mailing,
or announcing other events relating
to the exhibit. The following page
contains a sample press release.
This may be modified with the
correct venue information, program
details, and dates.
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
27
A BRANCH OF
THE ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM
Dickson Mounds Museum Opens Eagle Exhibit
Lewistown, IL - Dickson Mounds Museum is pleased to announce the opening of the special
exhibit “The American Bald Eagle: Featuring the Photography of Jim Miller.” The exhibit
...
features stunning photographs of American Bald Eagles by Jim Miller, 20 large format color
images, 10 panels describing the life cycle, habits, and ecology of Bald Eagles created by
Dickson Mounds Museum exhibit designer Kelvin Sampson and illustrated with Miller’s images.
Jim Miller is a native of Dunlap, Illinois and a retired Caterpillar, Inc. employee who has
developed a passion for wildlife photography. He has donated hundreds of wildlife images to
conservation organizations, has had many images published in a variety of publications, and
periodically gives wildlife presentations to schools and organizations. He currently serves on
the Board of Directors of the Peoria, Emiquon, and Illinois Audubon Societies. He is also on the
Board of the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway. He is also a charter member of The
Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Corps of Discovery.
An opening reception for the exhibit will be held at Dickson Mounds Museum on Saturday,
December 20, 2008 between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. At 5:00 p.m. Jim Miller will present and
illustrated lecture “Bald Eagles and a Few of Their Friends and Neighbors” in the museum
auditorium followed by refreshments. Please R.S.V.P. by December 15 if you would like to
attend.
The Dickson Mounds Branch of the Illinois State Museum is located between Lewistown and
Havana off routes 78 and 97. For further details about these upcoming music events check out
the museum’s website at: http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/ or call the museum at 309547-3721.
'~
DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL
10956 North Dickson Mounds Road
Lewistown, lL 61542
Telephone 309.547.3721
FAX 309.547.3189
Printed on Recycled Paper
RESOURCES
Illinois State Museum
Dickson Mounds
10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd.
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721
http://museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/eagles
28