Seven degrees.

According to the National Weather Service, that's the estimated high for Friday, the first day of Bald Eagle Watching Days.

Every year in January hundreds of people flock to Sauk Prairie during Bald Eagle Watching Days for the chance to spot America's national symbol in action.

However, this year eagle watching days comes on the heels of a ferocious cold snap that's supposed to send temperatures plunging below zero.

Jeb Barzen, who volunteers for Ferry Bluff Eagle Council, which sponsors Bald Eagle Watching Days, said the cold temperatures should increase the visibility of the eagles.

"It's good for seeing eagles," Barzen said. "It's not good for thermo-regulating."

In other words, if you attend, you're likely to see an eagle, but staying warm could be a problem.

Barzen, who coordinates the eagle council's roost counts, said there are roughly 80 eagles in the area, and when it gets cold enough that the river freezes, some will move out of the area all together, while others congregate around the remaining open water sources, making them easier to spot.

"The ones who stay are concentrated in the open water area by the (Prairie du Sac) dam up to where open water ends somewhere around Ferry Bluff," Barzen said.

Jeb's wife Barb Barzen, who also volunteers for Bald Eagle Watching Days, said there are fewer eagles this year than in the past.

"This year we had a big flood of them early in December," Barb said.

She said the chances of seeing an eagle this year are still good.

"The breeding population in Wisconsin is increasing at a very steady rate," Barb said. "Because of that, we are seeing more birds in our area during the winter time."

The best chances of seeing eagles, Barb said, is taking the eagle-watching tours that start at 9 a.m. at the entrance to the River Arts Center.

The tour goes to the eagle overlook, the dam and the Veterans of Foreign Wars park on the way back.

New this year is several conservationists exhibiting as part of the Great Wisconsin Birding Trail.

Wildlife humorist David Stokes kicks things off 7 p.m. Friday at the River Arts Center. He'll have a lot of animals and animal artifacts, including a river otter and a large raptor.

This is the 22nd annual Bald Eagle Watching Days.

Barb said it began 22 years ago when the Department of Natural Resources set up a couple scopes at the old Firehouse Restaurant and invited people to come look at eagles.

"It's grown and changed over the years," she said.

Eagle-watching schedule

Friday

• Fun with Animals with wildlife humorist David Stokes - 7 p.m. at River Arts Center

Saturday

• Star Country 96.3 FM live broadcast - 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Blue Spoon Cafe.

• Sauk Prairie Kiwanis Food Court - 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Sauk Prairie High School

• Sauk Prairie Area Historical Society presents the State's Largest Bird Collection - 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tripp Memorial Museum

• Conservation sale items and exhibits - 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at River Arts Center lobby

• Kid activities by DNR's Bureau of Endangered Resources - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at River Arts Center gallery

• Eagle watching tours - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at River Arts Center entrance

• Wildlife photography by Bill Pielsticker - 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at River Arts Center theater

• Eagle white wine tasting - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wollersheim Winery

• Eagles in Wisconsin: Local Eagle Conservation Efforts - 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at River Arts Center theater

• Live birds of prey show - 11 a.m. to noon at River Arts Center theater

• Meet and greet booth by the Raptor Center - 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. at River Arts Center gallery

• Fun animal adaptations by wildlife humorist David Stokes - 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. River Arts Center gallery

• Great Wisconsin Birding Trail - 2:30 to 3 p.m. at River Arts Center theater

• Live Birds of Prey Show - 3 to 4 p.m. at River Arts Center theater

Wildlife photography tips

• The best results often are obtained when shooting with the sun at your back.

• When the background is very bright (snow or sand) set your camera to spot-meter when focused on the subject. Alternatively, spot meter an exposed rock or tree bark then set the camera to aperture priority or manual using the resulting shutter speed.

• Shooting under light overcast conditions reduces the exposure challenges and often produces fine images.

• To "freeze" action, use a shutter speed of 1/250th second or faster. 

• To improve your area of sharpness (depth of field), use a smaller (higher numbered) aperture. To accomplish this and freeze action, you may need to use fast film (ISO 400 or faster) or set your digital camera to a faster ISO setting. 

• If your subject is moving, pan your camera (move with the subject) in order to get the subject in crisp focus. The blurred background will add to the feeling of motion.

• When the animal is in motion, frame it so it appears the animal has just entered the frame, rather than about to leave it.

• Always use a tripod or a vibration-reduction camera or lens to obtain the sharpest images.

• The most interesting wildlife photographs often show the subject doing something interesting (eagles diving for fish or defending their catch from other eagles).

• Be disciplined when you shoot. Working to obtain several outstanding images rather than many so-so shots will reduce your editing time and improve the likelihood of getting a "keeper."

Source: Photographer Bill Pielsticker, www.pielstickerphotos.com