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

They did their job. They laid their eggs. They went up the river and it was a long, hard swim. Here, at their end, usually the eagle is the star of the picture but instead, this salmon has one last starring role.

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