Why go: A scenic drive to a premiere bald eagle nesting area
What to see: Bald eagles in their natural habitat
How long: 100 miles from Seattle
Who: Families, friends, couples

Upper Skagit River
Although the weather may not be at its best, now is the ideal time to see bald eagles in their natural habitat.

The largest wintering bald eagle population in the lower 48 can be seen in the Upper Skagit River Valley. Annually, up to 350 eagles have been counted and recorded.

When the eagles are feeding, from daylight to 11:00 a.m., visitors are warned against approaching the animals too closely. With a pair of binoculars or a zoom/telephoto lens you can get great pictures of the nation's official bird. Also, many other types of wildlife inhabit the area: geese, ducks, ravens, blue herons, beaver, deer, raccoons and otter.

After the morning feeding, and active afternoons, the eagles leave the river and head to their night roosts in safe and sheltered wooded areas nearby.

This viewing area of the Upper Skagit is part of the National Wild and Scenic River System that is managed by the Mount Baker Ranger district, U.S. Forest Service.