Epic Eagles of Alaska

Join us on this unparalleled experience to photograph one of the largest gatherings of eagles in the world. Come mid-February, upwards of a thousand these birds congregate here along the shores of Kachemak Bay, near Homer, Alaska. And at times, the sheer number can be almost overwhelming as we find ourselves surrounded by a hundred or more of these great raptors just a few feet away.

This aggregation of birds is no accident. The waters around Homer, Alaska, remain ice free throughout the winter, making Kachemak Bay the farthest northern body of water where fish is predictably accessible at one of the most important moments in the lives of these birds.

In the parlance of Alaska, breakup is that moment in which ice locked rivers and lakes across the interior of the last frontier begins to break apart. Festivals and celebrations are held all across Alaska for this moment. But for bald eagles, it means one simple thing: nesting season has begun.

Like most large raptors, these birds nest early in the season so their chicks are hatched and ready to take advantage of the biological explosion across the region that is to come. And for these bald eagles, the first ones back after breakup guarantee their access to their nesting grounds of choice.

There is another side this story though. Bald eagles mate for life. Pairs will spend upwards of 25 years together. But they go their separate ways each winter only to rendezvous again in locations like Kachemak Bay before breakup occurs farther north.

As the eagles begin to arrive on the shores of these waters, they’re not only waiting for open water, they’re waiting for their mates to return as well.

We will spend 5 days photographing this legendary aggregation of bald eagles in Homer, Alaska. From frame filling portraits to water level shots of birds striking fish, don’t be surprised if you come back with 20,000 images of eagles EVERYDAY.