Eagle watchers flock to St. Mary

All eyes will be on the sky at the fourth annual Eagle Expo in Morgan City Feb. 12-14.

Eagle enthusiasts can tour local waterways searching the skies for the regal birds and learn from some of the region’s top nature experts and wildlife photographers.

The Eagle Expo features eagle-viewing tours, seminars from wildlife and nature experts and opportunities to meet fellow birders.

Last year, the three-day event drew 100 people, according to Carrie Stansbury of the Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau. She expects the number to grow with this year’s lineup.

“We’re really excited about showing off all our region has to offer at this expo,” Stansbury said. “People are always surprised to see you can drive on the side of the road and see bald eagles here. Sometimes we take that for granted.”

The expo kicks off Feb. 12 at 2:30 at the Atchafalaya Golf Course in Patterson with an optional workshop on digital bird photography with renowned wildlife photographer CC Lockwood.

Space for Lockwood’s workshop is limited, and it requires separate registration and payment of $195. Anyone interested is advised to register with Lockwood at www.cclockwood.com or atchbasin@aol.com.

Following the lecture, participants will take an afternoon boat trip to Bayou Black to try out their freshly learned skills. Lockwood’s work has been featured in “Smithsonian Magazine” and “National Geographic Magazine.” His 11th book, “Marsh Mission,” focuses on the state’s disappearing marshland.

A welcome reception is set for that night, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oaklawn Manor in Franklin. The event will highlight the works of local amateur wildlife photographer Clyde Peterson who has won numerous awards.

The next two days – Friday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 14 – include great eagle-viewing opportunities and wildlife tours.

Participants will be guided through several waterways, including the Atchafalaya Basin, Lake Verret, Turtle Bayou and Bayou Black. The tours take place from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Participants get the tour of their choice for full registration.

The cost to attend all events is $75 for adults and $35 for children. One-day signup costs $50 per adult and $25 for children.

Friday’s highlights include a presentation by Kurt Mutchler, the chief deputy director of photography for National Geographic Magazine, at Idlewild Golf Course in Patterson.

Saturday’s lineup includes Tom Hess of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Benjamin Thatcher with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Donna L. Dittmann and Steve Cardiff with the LSU Museum of Natural Science; Scott Walter, a doctorate candidate at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, and David Hancock with Handcock Wildlife Foundation.

Prior to the Eagle Expo, Hancock is giving children’s workshops at several St. Mary schools.

Raising awareness of the American bald eagle’s return to Louisiana is the main purpose of the expo, Stansbury said.

The eagle was removed from the endangered species list in June 2007. Experts contend that laws banning the use of harmful pesticides and greater public awareness have helped the bird’s survival.

Stansbury emphasized that the Eagle Expo provides an excellent learning opportunity for all ages.

“No one has to be a professional bird watcher to enjoy going on the tours,” she explained. “We’re not going to be limited to just bald eagles. It’s going to be all different types of wildlife. It’ll be exciting.”

For a complete event schedule, costs and a registration form, visit https://eagles.btnep.org or contact the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau at (985) 395-4905 or info@cajuncoast.com.

Photographers and bird watchers agree, the highlight of the weekend-long Eagle Expo is the trek across St. Mary Parish’s waterways in search of American bald eagles.