Tag: alaska

Eagle

Bald Eagle Anniversary

Photo of a bald eagle flying into the sun.
Sweet Success!

Each year on or about this day I post a photo of a bald eagle to recognize and celebrate the fact that five years ago today the Fish & Wildlife Service announced that the bald eagle in the lower 48 States had recovered enough to be removed from the list of threatened and endangered species.  We almost lost it due to DDT and other persistent pesticides.   Thanks to Rachel Carson, the Endangered Species Act and other factors, the story of the bald eagle in the lower 48 was a story of success.  The same can be said for other species like the osprey, which was also hurt by DDT.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way.

Eagle

Bald Eagle Banks Left

Photo of a bald eagle turning left.
Bald Eagle; Kachemak Bay, Alaska

Shortly after I retired in 2007 my friend Bob Gay invited me to join him and some friends in photographing bald eagles at Homer, Alaska.   I took Bob up on his offer and I’m sure glad I did.  The photography was astounding.  I returned in 2008 and 2009.  In 2009 I also took several boat trips across the bay from Homer to photograph bald eagles there.  Thanks to the abundance of eagles there I have never photographed a species as much as I have bald eagles.  Those trips were experiences I will always remember.

Eagle

Bald Eagle with Fishing Line Caught in Talons; Homer, Alaska

Photo of bald eagle with fishing line caught in talons.
A Dangerous Situation

This immature bald eagle has monofilament fishing line caught in both of its feet.   The artificial bait (shrimp) is still attached to the line.  This is a recipe for disaster.  At some point the line is going to get snagged on a limb or other object and, unless the bird figures out how to remove it, the bird is going to die.  Unfortunately, fishing lines kill a lot of birds and other wildlife.

Eagle

Bald Eagle Grabs a Fish

Photo of a bald eagle grabbing a fish from the water.
A bald eagle grabs a fish from Kachemak Bay, Alaska.

About this time each year I think of the trips I used to make in March to photograph bald eagles around Homer, Alaska.   It was always a fantastic experience.  This photo was taken in Sadie Cove which is on the far side of Kachemak Bay from Homer.

Eagle

Independence Day and Our Nation’s Symbol

Photo of a bald eagle perched on a broken branch.
Bald Eagle on Snag

A bald eagle perches on a driftwood limb on the shore of Kachemak Bay, Alaska.

There was a nice article in our paper today about a man here in Marin County who collects all things relating to the bald eagle.  His name is Preston Cook.  In addition to collecting, Preston has given much time to helping the bald eagle.  Among his efforts were many years spent on the board of the American Bald Eagle Foundation.  You can see the story here.

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Mount Redoubt, Alaska

Photo of Mount Redoubt during an eruption.
Thar She Blows!

I took this photo in March of 2009 when I was driving back to Anchorage from Homer where I had been photographing bald eagles.  Mount Redoubt erupted several times that month.

My trips to Alaska have always been for the purpose of photographing wildlife.  Of course, Alaska is also well known for its beautiful landscapes.  I’m feeling the need to go again — to photograph some of its great landscapes.  If you’d like a print of this image you can order one by clicking here.

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Screaming Eagle!

Photo of a bald eagle screaming.
Bald Eagle, Alaska

In March I often think of bald eagles and Alaska.  I went to Homer, Alaska, several times during the month of March to photograph bald eagles.  The photo opportunities in Homer, and in the inlets and bays on the other side of  Kachemak Bay, were unbelievable.  For more images of bald eagles and info on these birds you can visit my portfolio site by clicking on “Portfolio” above and selecting “Birds of Prey.”