Bald Eagle - Haines, Alaska (Chilkat River, Chilkat Eagle Preserve)

It was November, it was cold. We'd spent days photographing numerous bald eagles and most seem to be relaxed and used to the attention. After watching this one for quite some time, I slowly moved closer, taking shots with a 500mm lens. Then, closer again. And, again. We moved very slowly and the eagle never flinched. Finally, I switched lenses and shot these last few with a wide-angle lens (17-40mm). This was part of the sequence of shots I took before it let me know that I had reached my limit.

Boasting the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world (during their annual visit from Oct - Feb), Haines is the place to be to photograph these beautiful birds. Along the river, eagles congregate here to "hunt" salmon after their spawning migration has ended. Most salmon are weak and dying along the river, so it's easy hunting and the eagles know it!

This was taken on a trip meant solely for photography. We traveled to Juneau, Alaska by plane and then an additional three hours by ferry to Haines. The trip was organized by wildlife photographer Jon Cornforth.

For more information: Bald eagle, Cornforth Tours, Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve