Eagle sightings are common along the Salamonie River, south of Andrews. Photo provided by Loren Shaum.

By Loren Shaum
Guest Columnist

For the past 18 years, Upper Wabash Interpretive Services has scheduled Eagle watches in February. It’s prime Eagle sighting time around the reservoirs. Many of the eagles in the area are migratory birds from northern states that come south to feed on the open waters below the Salamonie and Mississinewa dams. There are also resident nests near both dammed lakes.

Indiana Eagle History

Teresa Rody, interpretive manager for Mississinewa and Salamonie Lakes, is a dedicated DNR veteran and informs visitors of Indiana’s eagle history

Before reintroduction between 1985 and 1989 with eaglets from Alaska and Wisconsin, the last recorded Eagle nest in Indiana was in 1897. Seventy-three eaglets (maturity is five to six years) were released during this period, and in 1991, the first nest was documented. With eagles, staying within 125 miles from their original nests, they slowly started moving north.

It worked! By 2005, there were 47 active nests with 87 young fledged. By 2007, there were 79 active nests, with 123 fledged. Now there are more than 300 Indiana nesting territories documented including a couple right here in our backyard in Lake Country. We have seen eagles on several occasions right off our deck. Many sightings are immature eagles soaring in the winds high above the lake.

On June 28, 2007, the Bald Eagle was removed from the Federal Endangered Species list. Regardless, eagles are still protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Sighting Locations

DNR conservation officers and volunteers lead the caravans to various sighting locations. Volunteers set-up spotting scopes at the sights. The first stop was to view a nest on an island and probably more than a half-mile away. The spotting scope was right on the nest, which is rebuilt and reused every year by the same pair. The nests are high in trees and can be as much as six-feet deep. According to the guide, the female is likely in the nest this time of the year, but we couldn’t see her.

The next stop atop the Salamonie dam. The spotting scope was set on an eagle perched in a sycamore tree high above the river. It was about a football field away but was still huge!

We also had a fly over and though not close enough to see the features clearly, I was able to get a couple shots.

The next stop was near the Mississinewa dam and in concluding it was noted that typically 40 or more eagles are sighted on many tours.

On our way down, we decided to stop at an interesting dive in Andrews just north of the reservoir.

Kermit’s Food Shop

Arriving at this obscure joint, we were not sure it was open. There was only one vehicle parked on the street, but walking in, the dimly lit bar was nearly full of locals. They all park in the back.

We made our way to the bar where Lynn offered menus.

Meanwhile, one of the local characters, historian one-eyed Dave, filled us in on the town. He declared: “All we do around here is drink and farm!” Indeed, they do! The boys down the bar were quaffing brews in great haste as they blabbered about the weather and other local interests.

The décor is interesting. There’s an antique phone booth complete with an old hand-crank phone, and a gorgeous mural of downtown painted by Kermit’s family.

The menu sports items for breakfast. lunch and dinner, but nothing jumps-out except they had a special of meat loaf, mashed potatoes and corn for $9. The prices for everything are about half of what you see at other similar joints. Think $4 hamburgers and $4.50 for a grilled tenderloin.

There are daily specials, as well. On Thursdays, Kermit’s offers $1 chili dogs and $1.25 brats with kraut.

Instead, I settled on the grilled tenderloin, while Gayle went with the quarter-pound cheeseburger. We shared onion rings from the ala carte section while listening to more of one-eyed Dave’s tales of local lore.

This quaint little burg just north of the reservoir is a biker’s delight. With an outdoor patio, Kermit’s is a must-stop for those on the way to the reservoir, and the prices make the trip worthwhile. It’s only an hour from Lake Country.