Bald Eagles in Arkansas

I took a trip to NW Arkansas to see the Bald Eagles again this winter. I'd hoped to see as many this year as I'd seen two years ago (400 in two days). My first day was disappointing with only saw a dozen or so. The next morning I got up early and arrived just in time to see a pair building their nest...I guess I always assumed all birds chose their nesting material from sticks and branches on the ground. So it startled me to see them breaking branches from nearby trees. I wonder how they knew which branches were dead with this being the dead of winter and all?
I photographed a few Eagles here and there and decided I'd head home since I had a three hour drive.I really hadn't taken any photos making made the trip worthwhile so when I saw an unexplored road someone had mentioned two years ago, I decided to do a little last minute exploring. I cut off on HWY 102 going towards Maysville AR and low and behold not far down the road I saw close to 200 Bald Eagles! They were peppering the trees, sky and ground...I had heard the Eagles came to this part of AR because of the vast amount of chicken houses but had never witnessed them hanging around one. Anyway,I took a few photos of the eagles in the distant trees and if I'd known I was shaking from extraordinary experience I'd set up my tripod.. In the photo I posted here I lightened the birds since the photo is small. The immature birds blend in and don't show up at all in the photo.I think I highlighted a total of 18 birds.
While I was photographing the Eagles a neighboring land owner pulled up. I asked for permission to enter his land to get closer shots. I told him I'd driven three hours to photograph the Eagles.I promised to send him a 8x10 for his kindness. So thanks to him I have this story and unforgetable memories.
I will be forever grateful to him for allowing me the rare opportunity to be close to the most majestic bird in the world.I regret now for not taking video.At the time I felt so powerless all I could do was watch these beautiful creatures. This was truly a humbling moment for me as I sat there in awe.And for that I probably missed the best shotsof my life.So I guess in my heart, my love for watching birds will always out shine photographing them. At least when it comes to the Bald Eagles I saw in the extraordinary numbers that day on a country road in Arkansas.