Eagle watch underway at Saylorville Lake

Iowans have the opportunity to learn about and see our national symbol this weekend. Several Iowa parks and lakes are holding bald eagle viewing events. Emily Crane is a park ranger at Saylorville Lake, north of Des Moines, which is hosting a driving tour tomorrow (Sunday) around the lake and around the region to see the big birds. In Audubon, there’s a program on how to attract birds to the back yard, there’ll be a captive bald eagle at Jester Park, Pella and Lake Red Rock will host eagle-viewing as well. Other stops feature hot chocolate and camp fires, crafts and lectures about eagles. Crane says she’s already seen quite a few of the large winged creatures buzzing the Saylorville area.For people, especially kids, who haven’t seen bald eagles in flight, Crane says this is a terrific chance to view them and get a thrill. She says you don’t realize how large and majestic they are until you see them.Programs for the driving tour run from noon to 4 tomorrow (Sunday). For more information, call (515) 276-4656.