Ferry Bluff in the fall

   I started the phone conversation with, “This may be one of the last days for this year!” I was trying to get someone to join me for a hike at Ferry Bluff and the hiking trails are closed from Nov. 15^th until April 1^st. The reason for this is to not disturb the bald eagles that use this valley for a winter roosting area. If the eagles make unnecessary flights during the harsh cold of Wisconsin's winter they may perish.

   It was a beautiful fall day, bright sunshine and a strong, but warm, southern wind. One phone call was all it took and I soon had my companions in the car seated next to me. When we reached the parking lot, there were two cars and another two pulling in behind me – other nature enthusiasts had the same idea. About halfway up the hill we took a break to let two young boys get by us. Following close behind was their father. He paused for a moment to say, “I already spent the morning hunting but this is how they wanted to spend their time today.” I applaud this dad and the boys for not spending the whole day with some form of electronics.

  When we reached Cactus Bluff, everyone was enjoying the view from there. It appeared that nobody knew about the trail that lead to Ferry Bluff or they weren't up to the challenge. We spent some time there but soon headed up the rocky trail to the top. While at Cactus Bluff we had noticed some bald eagle activity on the island. We weren't far up the path before an adult eagle flew overhead, checking out the intruders. Once the short, rocky part of the climb was over, walking the top ridge was easy except for the occasional fallen trees. The sun's low angle this time of year sent its rays simmering across the blue water of the river. Looking west during the now leaf-off conditions, the river glowed through the trees. Along the way there were a few blooms that had escaped the frost. Now and then the beauty of this day and nature invited us to sit and take it all in.Soon the view to the east opened up to the Sauk Prairie area, the Wisconsin River Valley and the Baraboo Bluffs. A bit farther and the island came back into view. Much to our surprise

and delight the pair of adult eagles were together on the island. One of them was busy in the nest, making last minute improvements in preparation for next spring, while the other sat high in the tree watching.

My companions were satisfied for the time being but I hastened out to the point to get an unobstructed view. By the time I reached the point both eagles were in the nest. It was on a fall day much like this back in 2003 that a friend, his young boys and I spotted a pair of bald eagles building a nest on this island.

 This was the first documented eagle nest along this stretch of the river in over fifty years. Since then the activity at this site has been of interest to us and groups who have invested great efforts in protecting the bald eagle population. We walked out to the point of Ferry Bluff and again spent a long time enjoying the breath-taking views which included St. Norbert's, the warmth of the sun and southern winds. During this time a hawk soared by at eye level, but in the brightness of the sun we were unable to identify it.

When we returned to Cactus Bluff there was a new group of people, but we had been the only ones to make the full trip to the upper point of Ferry Bluff. We had gotten so involved in our nature adventure that a little over four hours were gone, but by no means wasted.

   The last time I was up there (mid summer) a tree had fallen across the rocky part of the trail.

So with that and the mosquitoes I haven’t been back yet this fall. There’s a good chance that the tree has been removed. It’s but always a great hike maybe I’ll see you up there.

 

This great quote was at the end of an email I recently received,

                           “Time is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice,

                               because the flow that has passed will never pass by again.

                                                  Enjoy every moment of life.”