Although the weather on January 1, 2011 left a lot to be desired, a group of local friends managed to continue their tradition of checking in on the American Bald Eagles that each winter choose Dale Hollow Lake to spend a few months at.

The informal outing has been going on for several years, and each year the number of both watchers and eagles spotted varies.

With temperatures near the freezing mark Saturday, along with brisk winds and rain, the group of 17 made their way from Wolf River Marina to Trooper Island and back, spotting six bald eagles in the round trip outing.

Below, the group can be seen looking through a large window in the boat to enjoy one of the eagles spotted near Tennessee Island on Dale Hollow.

Two other eagles, one sitting near Wolf River Dock, below, and in the top photo, another just getting under flight near Eagle Cove Marina, are also shown.

Five eagles were also spotted on Sunday, three near Eagle Cove Marina and two just across the cove from Wisdom Dock.

After being on the brink of extinction in the 1960s, the efforts to save the species have since been very successful, and currently there are several nesting pair of eagles at Dale Hollow Lake that stay year-round and raise young, while others migrate to the area from the northern region of the United States during the winter months.