Eyes on the skies, veterans
<p>A mature bald eagle soars over the waters of Lake Coeur d'Alene near Higgens Point on November 21, 2012.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Veterans and active duty military personnel are invited to take a free "eagle watch" cruise on Lake Coeur d'Alene at the end of this month.
The Bureau of Land Management, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises are for a sixth year offering military veterans, active duty personnel and their families an opportunity to learn more about North Idaho's bald eagles while cruising on Lake Coeur d'Alene.
Two free "eagle watch" cruises will be held in the morning and afternoon of Nov. 29, but reservations are required starting Friday at 7:45 a.m. Party size is limited to six people.
Suzanne Endsley, BLM public affairs officer, said the tours are extremely popular, so veterans and military personnel who have not yet taken the cruise are given first priority.
Endsley said people who have taken the cruise in the past can still make reservations on a waiting list, and they will be called if there are openings.
"We will take reservations for about 150 people per cruise," Endsley said. "Because of the cold, most people stay in the enclosed cabin until we get to Wolf Lodge Bay."
Once the boat makes it to the bay, Endsley said Beth Paragamian, from IDFG, will give a presentation on the eagles and their lifestyles.
"We engage the little kids with that," Endsley said. "Both old and young will learn a little something on these cruises."
Reservations are not taken in advance and are only taken through the BLM Coeur d'Alene District Office.
For reservations call Endsley at 769-5004 or Connie Curtis at 769-5011.
The morning cruise departs at 10 a.m. and returns at noon, and afternoon cruise sails at 1 p.m. and returns at 3 p.m.
Because the cruises fill quickly, the current status of available seating will be posted on the BLM's Coeur d'Alene District website at www.blm.gov/id/st/en/Districts-Idaho/CDA.html as well as BLM's Idaho Facebook page. Endsley said it would be a good idea to check one of those sites before calling.
Participants are encouraged to arrive and board 30 minutes before the cruise departs. The cruise boats are located on the east side docks of The Coeur d'Alene Resort.
All participants are encouraged to dress warmly, and may bring binoculars and cameras. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on board the boat.