Picture of the week

Soaring eagle

A bald eagle soaring over the Chilkat river basin in Alaska.  Another image captured from a visit to this area last month with the purpose to photograph these magnificent birds.  During the 5 day visit, both the lighting conditions and the activity of the birds varied. On the morning of this particular shot I was fortunate to have the sun come out for some better lighting, while on other days it tended to be cloudy or snowing.

In a follow-up contact with one of the local wildlife guides in Haines: Bill McRoberts from Field2Frame professional photography; He mentioned that shortly after my departure in mid-November that many of the eagles left the Chilkat river valley.  Bill indicated that it was unusual to see so many of them depart so suddenly. Typically more eagles linger longer with increasingly lively fight scenes as the river ices up further, and fishing conditions get desparate.  Apparently this year many have decided to move to on to better conditions and not wait it out in the Chilkat Valley?  Meanwhile down in my home base along the American River near Sacramento California, I am noting the strongest Chinook Salmon run than I have seen in a decade.  Perhaps more bald eagles are heading further south for the winter earlier this year?

A more extensive travelogue on this trip to Alaska can also be found here: Juneau, Haines, and the Chilkat bald eagle preserve.

All content and images are property of Stephen Fischer Photography, copyright 2013.  Last updated: 12/01/2013   ()