The James River runs through it ... through the City of Richmond.  And just minutes downriver is an incredible opportunity to see resident bald eagles in their natural habitat all year long!  This tidal river, pontoon boat tour will take you into the midst of an ecosystem rich with wildlife, abundant in history and overloaded with beautiful scenery.  The Eagle Tour travels through a five mile stretch of the James River known as Jefferson's Reach, and covers five territories of resident bald eagles.  During the winter and summer months, migratory bald eagles are in the area.

See, first hand, the conservation success story of bald eagles on the James River, where just over 30 years ago there were none.  Today, over 180 pair of resident bald eagles call the James River home.  The James River is now considered to have the best bald eagle comeback in the entire North American continent.   

Bald Eagle Tour:

Ride aboard the Discovery Barge II, a comfortable 24-foot covered pontoon boat and experience majestic bald eagles closer than you may have ever seen them.  This 2-hour tour is one of the most unique resident bald eagle tours on the East Coast!  Binoculars are provided.  Wildlife and history abounds.  Space is limited to six people.   

2-hour Tour:  $45 per person

To reserve space now, call or email:  Mike@DiscoverTheJames.com or 804-938-2350.   Only tours with open seats are listed. We try very hard to keep this up-to-date.

"Eagle Tours are always offered the first two weekends of every month."  

Current Scheudle:

Saturday, June 1, 7:00-9:00am 

Saturday, June 8, 9:30-11:30am

Sunday, June 9, 6:00-8:00am (special early sunrise tour)

Saturday, June 15, 9:30-11:30am

Sunday, June 16, 6:30-8:0am

Sunday, June 23, 7:00-9:00am

Wednesday, June 26, 7:00-9:00am

Thursday, June 27, 7:00-9:00am

Sunday, June 30, 7:00-9:00am & 0:30-11:30am

Thursday, July 4, 7:00-9:00am & 9:30-11:30am

Saturday, July 6, 7:00-9:00am & 9:30-11:30am

Sunday, July 7, 7:00-9:00am & 9:30-11:30am

Wednesday, July 10, 7:00-9:00am

Saturday, July 13, 7:00-9:00am & 9:30-11:30am

Sunday, July 14, 7:00-9:00am

Saturday, August 3, 7:00-9:00am & 9:30-11:30am

Sunday, August 4, 7:00-9:00am & 9:30-11:30am

Saturday, August 10, 7:00-9:00am & 9:30-11:30am

Sunday, August 11, 7:00-9:00am & 9:30-11:30am

Private Bald Eagle Tour: 

Book the whole boat, the bald eagles and the Captain! Enjoy this tour with your camera in hand or just enjoy the James' natural beauty.  Let the Captain's experience lead you to the bald eagles, in close, for incredible photography and viewing opportunities.  

2-hour tour:  $250   

3-hour tour:  $350  

To book your Private Bald Eagle Tour, call or email:  Mike@DiscoverTheJames.com or 804-938-2350. 

The photo's stories?  Top right:  Over the last year photographer Steve Baranoff (www.BirdsinPhotos.com) has been on numerous Bald Eagle Tours.  He is accumulating many wonderful images, including this one of an eagle at the moment of impact ... just when the bird has landed it's talons in the river to pluck out a fish.  -- Photo by Steve Baranoff

Lower right:  'Bandit' is undoubtedly one of my favorite bald eagles.  Bandit's nest has fallen three times since November 2009.  The most recent, during Hurrican Irene.  In this image Bandit is positioning a small piece of fish before eating, and the photographer captured the exact moment.  -- Photo by Yehudi Hernandez

Left: This is Bandit eating a gizzard shad.  This bird is one of the ten resident birds that live in Jefferson's Reach on the James.  -- Photo by Steve Baranoff

Below Left: A bald eagle prepares to grab a meal from the James River.  This is the moment of impact, just before the talons break the surface of the water to grab a shad, or perhaps a small catfish.  After an eagle snatches its meal, it will usually fly up into a tree and eat it with the back facing the river.  After finishing the meal, the eagle will clean its beak by rubbing each side of the beak on the branch it's sitting on.  On occasion, after an eagle has finished its meal, you can hear it call out that incredible eagle call ... perhaps for it's mate.  To hear what an eagle sounds like, click here.  -- Photo by Bob Jones Jr.

Below Right:  A wonderful image of the Duke by Otis Sowell.  it was his first trip on the pontoon boat, and he captured a wonderful series of images of the Bald Eagles of Jefferson's Reach.  Thanks Otis!  --Photo by Otis Sowell

What do people have to say about our Eagle Tours?

"This was one of the most incredible outdoor experiences I have ever had.  We were so close to a bald eagle today, we could hear her crunch pieces of fish in her beak as she ate it."  -- Warren F.

"This was fun!  This was better than Disney World"  -- Whitney (7 years old)

 For more information or to book your Eagle Tour, contact Capt. Mike Ostrander at 804-938-2350.