Photo Tour Location
Haines. Chilkat River. The Chilkat Eagle Preserve was officially designated in 1982 with the specific goal to “protect and perpetuate the world’s largest concentration of Bald Eagles and their critical habitat”. Over 48 000 acres of land, mostly river bottom land along the Chilkat, Kleheni, and Tsirku Rivers has been put aside to help preserve this incredible gathering.
A combination of mostly Cottonwood trees and mighty Sitka Spruce provide great habitat, the Chilkat River and the backdrop of that massive St. Elias Range mountains is about impossible to beat.
Bald Eagles
The American Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, feeds mostly on fish, although they do scavenge meat of any kind. With a wing span as great as 7′ across, they’re a photogenic bird in full flight. Those enormous wings spread wide as they soar against the snow-capped mountains in the background.
There are between 200 and 400 resident eagles “year round” in the Chilkat River area and the fall gathering increases the population number drastically. Sometimes as high as 3000 bald eagles can be found here. Tall cottonwood trees can appear to be almost weighed down with eagles perched so densely on their branches.
Bald Eagle Photography
They’ll often fly by at speeds as high as 30mph and, when diving can even hit 100mph. A good auto focus system and a fast lens can be a big help to photograph these birds. With some practice you’ll improve your flight shooting dramatically. We also focus on timing, capturing a specific moment or piece of action; takeoffs, landings, etc.
Bald eagles LOVE to fight. From observation, they love to fight almost as much as they love to eat. A friend of mine joked that bald eagles appear to prefer to fight for a salmon than catch their own, and he may well be right! This can make for some dramatic photography, as 2, or more, bald eagles clash in mid-air, or tangle on the ground. A bird on the ground with a salmon is vulnerable to aerial attacks, and it’s an incredible experience to watch and photograph these birds fighting over a meal.
We’ll aim to shoot a diverse selection of images. Portraits and closeup shots of perched eagles, eagles calling, flying, diving and fighting over fish, wider landscape-style images showing the habitat and surrounding environs, and all the action we can see.
Bald Eagles Fishing. Flying. Feeding. Fighting.
The action is always a thrill. Bald eagles gather in large numbers every fall for the last great supper before they head south over the winter. The annual count varies, but numbers as high as 3500 bald eagles along the river are not uncommon.
The eagles spend almost as much time fighting as they do feeding. It’s fascinating behavior to observe, and can make for some dynamic photo opportunities.
There’s not much activity you won’t get to see and photograph on this tour.
Our small personalized photography workshop and tour puts you and your photography in the right place. At the right time.
Upon your arrival in Haines, Alaska, we’ll pick you up, and take care of just about everything from there (meals not included). Transport. Accommodations. Instruction.
You and your camera do the rest.
Well, you and your camera and the eagles do the rest.
Photo Workshop
I’ve photographed bald eagles for over 10 years. I offer my years of experience in shooting and watching the great birds to help improve your photography. I’ve shot bald eagles in a variety of different locations and circumstances and have loads of experience trying to get into the best possible position to maximize the photography opportunities. We’ll discuss those things and more. If you’d like we can carefully review your images after shooting and discuss what might work to strengthen and improve our photography.
What Our Guests Say
Testimonial
“I’m just back from the bald eagles november photo trip with Carl and it was amazing. Thousands of eagles right here, posing for the camera, in the charming and quiet town of Haines. Carl was a wonderful guide and photography teacher. I learnt a lot about eagles, Alaska, and photography, notably improving my skills and knowledge of my instruments. I highly recommend the tour.”
— Julien F. NYC. Read more testimonials here ->
Photography Workshop or Tour?
Most of the photo trips I run are photo tours, not photo workshops. The emphasis is on putting you in the right place at the right time, and organizing a productive, safe and rewarding photography tour for you.
This trip is a little more instructional and so I advertise it as a workshop.
The primary things I focus on with novice to intermediate photographers are
i) learn how to shoot in manual exposure mode
ii) know your various AF modes
iii) know how to find, read and interpret your RGB histogram
iv) practice trying to anticipate behavior and compositions. Learn to see what is NOT in front of you.
v) Enjoy yourself.
The more work you can do on these things BEFORE your trip, the stronger your photography will be for your trip. So do your practice, and do your homework.
Obviously if you have specific photography related questions, we’ll go though some of those as well.
For those folks who are interested, we’ll go over basics of bald eagle photography; exposure and shutter speed, flight photography, picking your subject, picking your window, etc. We’ll look at the basics of in-the-field wildlife photography such as anticipating the action, being in the best spot you can to shoot, and knowing your subject.
We’ll also look at metering mode choices, reading and understanding your histograms. Whether you’re a beginner with wildlife photography, or an intermediate – advanced photographer looking for a well organized tour to maximize your field opportunities I’ll do my best to accommodate you.
Trip Details
Instruction
For those folks who are interested, we’ll go over basics of bald eagle photography; exposure and shutter speed, flight photography, picking your subject, picking your window, etc. We’ll look at the basics of in-the-field wildlife photography such as anticipating the action, being in the best spot you can to shoot, and knowing your subject.
We’ll also look at metering mode choices, reading and understanding your histograms. Whether you’re a beginner with wildlife photography, or an intermediate – advanced photographer looking for a well organized tour to maximize your field opportunities I’ll do my best to accommodate you.
Carl
As the photo tour leader, I bring a wealth of backcountry and photography experience to this tour. I’ve photographed Alaska’s bald eagles intensively for well over 10 years now, across much of the state, and have sound experience with eagles and bald eagle behavior, which can make all the difference for photography. 
I’ve taught for a long time, in one on one situations as well as class room situations, and my experience in instruction will hopefully be of some value to folks on this trip I’m offering this trip as either a photo tour, or a workshop for folks looking to learn a little more about wildlife photography.
Provided
Your own room, with modern accommodations and amenities.
Transport in and around Haines, up the Chilkat River to the preserve in a comfortable All Wheel Drive conversion van.
Experienced, licensed and permitted guide.
Photography instruction and in the field photography advice.
Photo processing instruction if desired, and image review and critique available.
Safety provisions include satellite phone, first aid kits, emergency travel equipment.
Not Included
Meals.
Trip insurance (recommended).
Gratuities.
Transport to/from Haines.
Bring Along
You’ll want to bring your enthusiasm, your love of wilderness, adventure and good times, and a sense of wonder. Your camera gear, and clothing for a week. Good raingear and warm clothing is essential in Alaska at any time of year. You’ll want to be in decent shape for any short hiking with your camera gear.
Alaska Business
I’ll stress again the benefit of heading out with an Alaskan company. You simply can’t beat local experience when it comes to nature photography, and particularly wildlife photography. What you get here is an Alaskan guide working together to offer you the best in bald eagle photography.
