 |
 |
|
|
|
|
The unmistakable and iconic bald eagle is found across most of North America, but its stronghold is the salmon rivers of Alaska and Canada. Many bald eagles winter in large numbers around salmon streams, but they are very opportunistic and take advantage of fish processing plants or -- most notably in Homer, Alaska -- human handouts. I took these photos on the Homer Spit, where up to several hundred eagles congregate in winter and are fed every morning by the 'Eagle Lady', Jean Keene. It was extremely impressive to have these huge birds glide by just a few feet overhead, or sometimes at or below eye level. I had to stand well back from her compound to hand-hold the camera for these pictures (she scolds people who get out of their cars near the feeding area). The pictures show adults birds (with pristine white heads and tails), as well as youngsters from yearlings (all dark) to blotchy older birds and subadults.
Pictures of bald eagles in summer are here, and images of wintering eagles are here. |
|
|
|
