MINERAL RIDGE - They swoop, they sail, they soar.

Eagle Watch Week 2013 is happening now.

Hundreds of people from all over the region flocked to Mineral Ridge on Saturday to see nearly 200 spectacular bald eagles as they perched in the birch and cottonwood trees and skimmed Lake Coeur d'Alene for spawning kokanee salmon.

"For me, it's a reminder of how much some things have not changed in this big crazy world, especially being from central Florida where there's so much concrete and people and tourism," said Denise Ray of Spokane. "You come to an area like this and it's just things are how they've always been. We just kind of get a sneak peek of it when they come here to visit us."

Bureau of Land Management North Idaho Interagency Fire Management Officer Mike Behrens estimated more than 200 people had come by early afternoon. He said he enjoys the families that make the trip to eagle watch.

"I like the kids getting out to see something that they hadn't seen before, or people who haven't had a chance to come out," he said. "I get to work outdoors quite a bit, and not everybody gets to do that. On a beautiful day like this, you can't beat it this time of year."

BLM and IDFG have hosted Eagle Watch Week for more than 20 years. They provided four scopes for people to see the eagles at the Mineral Ridge trailhead and boat launch areas.

"Just the way they sit, there's something about it, like they're the kings of the trees," said BLM public affairs specialist Suzanne Endsley. "And then of course when they swoop down and they're skimming the water, they just kind of put a show on, I mean, every time it intrigues me."

The symbolic birds of prey average 12 pounds with a maximum wingspan of 7 feet and a body length of nearly 3 feet. They are chocolate brown with bright white heads and tail feathers. Endsley said the eagles in the Coeur d'Alene area migrate from Canada and spend a few months in Arizona or California before returning north, and they like to stop at Pend Oreille and Coeur d'Alene lakes because the waters provide them with food.

Julie Kirking of Post Falls went eagle watching with her husband and kids. She said the eagles are beautiful in their natural environment.

"It's a good spot. We always see a couple of them," she said. "It's neat to watch them dive or skim around the lake. They're beautiful animals."

The BLM and Idaho Department of Fish and Game are presenting the eagle watching event, which continues through Monday. It begins at 9 a.m. each day. BLM members will be on site to educate and assist visitors. An "Eagle Watch Hotline" has been set up with weather data and other updates. Info: www.blm.gov or call 769-5048.