I am sure this is not new to some of you but I was reading about the bald eagle migration to the Chilkat Reserve in the fall and was wondering if anyone has been there? How close are you shots? What kind of lenses are needed? Where did you fly into? Is there a better time of November to go? Can you see moose, bears, dall sheep or get some northern lights shots while you are there during this time of year? Where would you stay? Do you need a tour guide?
Obviously, I am in need of plenty of info. THANKS AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I've been to Haynes twice, but never for photography. Once I drove from Anchorage (very long!) and the other time I flew in from Juneau. There's ferry service from Juneau, too. From what I saw shooting distances would often be fairly long, and it looked as though turnouts along the road would be in short supply if lots of folks used it. I didn't see them, but I would expect some limited usage by bears, but in my experience bears in the late fall are pretty nocturnal in their feeding habits. Weather permitting and with a good show, you could expect aurora.
I've always been a little startled by the whoop over Haines' bald eagle migration. Similar migrations occur in many places around Alaska, often with better access for photos. Eagles are pretty dense throughout their range up here, and as food resources constrict they congregate on late sources. For example, they congregate right in downtown Kodiak all winter long due to the canneries. They hang in the trees all around the harbor, on the light poles, on the roof ridges, in the dumpsters and on the rigging of boats in the harbor. They also congregate on a stretch of river with a late salmon spawning run about 40 miles out of town. Some years the Audubon Christmas bird count has recorded almost 1,000 there...... ALONG 1/4 MILE OF ROAD! But like Haines (and moreso) you have to factor in weather and annual fluctations corresponding to fluctuations in the salmon runs.
I'm not telling you that a trip to Haines isn't worthwhile, but if there are other locations more appealing for the bear, moose and Dall sheep you mention, I'm willing to bet you can find eagles in abundance somewhere nearby, potentially with a lot better access. Wherever you go, count on weather issues and allow plenty of time. Southeast Alaska has been buried in an early snow this year, to the point that it has interfered with access for a special legislative session in Juneau. Meanwhile the same weather system has left Kodiak windy, cold and dry with almost no water in the rivers for salmon spawning. Stay tuned, because that could change this afternoon, tomorrow or next week. Dress warm, bring you waterproof camera covers, and allow plenty of time to sit out storms if necessary.
Discussion
2 repliesObviously, I am in need of plenty of info. THANKS AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Don Gorczynski
I've always been a little startled by the whoop over Haines' bald eagle migration. Similar migrations occur in many places around Alaska, often with better access for photos. Eagles are pretty dense throughout their range up here, and as food resources constrict they congregate on late sources. For example, they congregate right in downtown Kodiak all winter long due to the canneries. They hang in the trees all around the harbor, on the light poles, on the roof ridges, in the dumpsters and on the rigging of boats in the harbor. They also congregate on a stretch of river with a late salmon spawning run about 40 miles out of town. Some years the Audubon Christmas bird count has recorded almost 1,000 there...... ALONG 1/4 MILE OF ROAD! But like Haines (and moreso) you have to factor in weather and annual fluctations corresponding to fluctuations in the salmon runs.
I'm not telling you that a trip to Haines isn't worthwhile, but if there are other locations more appealing for the bear, moose and Dall sheep you mention, I'm willing to bet you can find eagles in abundance somewhere nearby, potentially with a lot better access. Wherever you go, count on weather issues and allow plenty of time. Southeast Alaska has been buried in an early snow this year, to the point that it has interfered with access for a special legislative session in Juneau. Meanwhile the same weather system has left Kodiak windy, cold and dry with almost no water in the rivers for salmon spawning. Stay tuned, because that could change this afternoon, tomorrow or next week. Dress warm, bring you waterproof camera covers, and allow plenty of time to sit out storms if necessary.
I was also thinking of heading to Kodiak Island for some grizzly photography. Any tips on your home base?
Don
Charlton, MA