|
Why eagles love Wabasha, Minn.
Author: By Jerry Morris, Globe Staff
Date: SUNDAY, January 3, 1999
Page: L2
Section: Travel
GLOBE-TROTTING
If you want to see a bald eagle in the wild, the place to head is Wabasha,
Minn. Wabasha is home to one of the largest concentrations of wintering bald
eagles in the lower 48 states.
Last winter, 800 eagles could be spotted around this small southeastern
Minnesota town, where a new National Eagle Center is slated to be built next
year.
The present center staffs an outdoor eagle observation deck on weekends
through March. It's free and open every day.
Why, you may wonder, is Wabasha so important to the eagles? Food. Rivers
north of Wabasha freeze over in winter, but the Mississippi in Wabasha
doesn't. Just north of Wabasha, the Mississippi River channel narrows to form
the base of Lake Pepin. Since the channel leaving Pepin is narrow, it creates
a strong current to keep the Mississippi ice-free for a three-mile stretch
through Wabasha. The open water means good fishing for the eagles, and the
eagles know a good opportunity when one comes along. They can also be seen
near dams and locks, which create water movement and prevent ice from forming.
The eagles of Wabasha feed on gizzard, a nongame fish, which is abundant in
the Mississippi during winter. This makes Wabasha a win-win situation for the
eagles, fishermen (since the eagles don't compete with them), and tourists.
For the latest eagle report, call 651-565-4989, and for lodging, call the
Wabasha Chamber of Commerce at 800-565-4158. ElderHostel is having an
EagleWatch program Feb. 28-March 5, and famed natural photographer Arthur
Morris will present seminars on how to photograph birds and nature on March
5-7. For reservations, call 800-565-4158.
Drive an electric
What's it like to drive an electric car? You can find out by renting one
from Budget Rent a Car in Los Angeles International Airport. Budget has
electric's from DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Toyota, and others. An
introductory rate of $39.95 a day is being offered. (Do you have to return
them on ``full,'' or will Budget plug them in?) By spring, Budget expects to
have 60 electrics in its fleet and eventually to expand the fleet to other
California locations. In Europe, Budget offers electrics in Paris and Lyon,
methane-powered vehicles in Sweden, and liquid petroleum gas ones in the
United Kingdom.
Seniors' deal
The ``49 and Holding'' package at the Orlando-area Holiday Inn Hotel &
Suites Main Gate East is being extended for the year 1999. The package for
guests 50 and older offers a room rate of $49 a night along with a number of
amenities. Seniors traveling with grandchildren also will find that the kids
stay and eat free, and there is a state-licensed Camp Holiday program on the
premises for children 3-12. For information, call 800-FON-KIDS.
Auld Lang Syne
You most likely sang it on New Year's eve, and now the song of friendship
recognized throughout the world is heading home. A rare single-sheet
manuscript of Robert Burns's most famous poem, ``Auld Lang Syne,'' was
purchased at auction at Christie's in New York by the Glasgow City Council.
Only one of seven signed copies, it will now be on public display in Glasgow's
Mitchell Library. The library already has a Robert Burns Collection. The poem
will also be read later this month at Robert Burns celebrations throughout the
world. For information on Scotland, call the British Tourist Authority at
800-462-2748.
|
