Ohio Bald Eagles

I had the pleasure of photographing these majestic Bald Eagles in Ohio last year. This was a mating pair that had taken up residence at the Hebron, Ohio Fish Hatchery wetlands in April 2009, This photo was taken as they hunted over a pond looking for food.

Hebron State Fish Hatchery
is located in southern Licking County north of Buckeye Lake. This 230-acre facility was acquired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1982. This hatchery has 63 ponds, 13 indoor rearing troughs, 25 acres of wetlands, and 50 wooded acres with 2.5 miles of nature trails. Water is supplied by Buckeye Lake (5,000 gallons per minute capacity) through a 1.5-mile section of the old Ohio Erie Canal. Two wells (370 gallons per minute capacity) also provide water to the hatchery. Saugeye, walleye, and channel catfish represent the majority of fish production, but hybrid striped bass and bluegill are also raised at the hatchery. Along with fish production, hatchery ponds provide opportunities for cooperative research with universities such as The Ohio State University. Research conducted at the Hebron State Fish Hatchery has helped the Division of Wildlife triple production of walleye and saugeye at the Hebron, Senecaville, and St. Marys state hatcheries, and also was used in developing prevention measures for zebra mussels (an aquatic nuisance species). As one of the Division of Wildlife’s “Watchable Wildlife Areas,” the hatchery attracts bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. To get to the hatchery, take SR 37 south off I-70, after two miles turn left on SR 79 and go another two miles and turn left on Canal Rd; the hatchery is one mile on the right.