This morning around 9 a.m., I saw a mature bald eagle flying and carrying nesting materials in its talons.

Since eagles build their nests out of sticks and branches (like the one in the photo), the birds have to cushion the tops of their nests for their chicks. They use everything from cattails to cornstalks, according to the Journey North website.

I think this morning's eagle had old, soft sedges and reeds from around the lake. The long reeds trailed from the eagle's talons as it flew.

Bald eagles aren't considered real migrators — they are said to make seasonal movements. So a bird may just go far enough south to find open water. Here in northern Minnesota, I think we have a number of birds that overwinter close by, or leave for just short periods of time. In some years, I know eagles have come back to their nesting areas by the end of January.

If eagles return to a nesting site, after they defend their territory, both males and females will make repairs to the old nest — bald eagle rennovation. Since the birds keep adding on to old nests, some nests become enormous. Peter Nye, Journey North's "eagle guy," said one nest in Florida measured 22 feet deep.

The wingspan of a bald eagle is 6 to 7 feet, which is wider than I am tall.

Even though we see eagles frequently here, people absolutely pay attention to them when they fly overhead or perch in trees.