Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – The eagles in Coeur d’Alene have everyone coming to stop to see them soar.
Sandy Crecelius, who comes to the Mineral Ridge area in Coeur d’Alene every year to catch a glimpse, says it’s simply the perfect spot, “I like it over here rather than on the other side because you have a dark backdrop. If we want to take a picture it’s a little easier to get a good picture.”
However, Idaho State Police say there can be a danger when passersby come to see the nation’s bird fly, and it spans wider than admirers may know.
“There’s no reason for that to be happening. if people just you know be a little bit patient go to parking areas and park where they can be all the way off the roadway,” says Cpl. Troy Tulleners.
Cpl. Tulleners from the Idaho State Police said they received several calls just this week about parking infractions on Highway 97, a popular bird-watching area.
“Typically cars are on the highway and people are having to move into the oncoming lane of travel on blind corners to get around those parked cars,” said Cpl.Tulleners
Cpl. Tulleners says those who stop to birdwatch on the side of the highway are in violation of Idaho state law, and it impacts other drivers on the road, “somebody’s moving out of their lane in the oncoming lane of travel to get around cars, and we’d have side-swiped mirrors.”
Crecelius, who was parked in a designated area, says there is just nothing better than sharing this moment with her family, “I think it’s important for us to always be wanting to bring our grandkids or kids and for ourselves to just experience the beauty that we have here.”
