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2006 Stikine River Eagles and LeConte Glacier Photography Adventure
Highlights from Captain Dennis

Articles in this Issue:   Introduction   Getting to Petersburg   2006 Available Dates   Southeast Alaska Amazing Seasonal Wonders   2006 Stikine River Eagles   Halibut Enchiladas   2007 Dates Going Fast!

Bald eagles congregate at the Stikine river in the spring to feed on the eulachon that spawn in the river.

Our first Spring Stikine River Bald Eagle Photography Adventure was spectacular!

Every year at this time only, the eulachon, a very oil-rich type of smelt locally referred to as ‘hooligan’, make their spring spawning migration into the Stikine River. Numerous predators are attracted to the small oily fish which become vulnerable in the river.  In fact, the largest spring gathering of Bald eagles (thousands) occurs on the Stikine River at this time every year as they feed on the smelt.  

Our mission on this voyage was to capture photographic images of these noble raptors as they fed on the fish and rested in nearby trees, sand bars and washed up tree stumps and logs. And boy – did we ever see and photograph eagles!

"What a wonderful trip. All the elements came together to make it most memorable"

- Henry S.

Using a comfortable covered jet boat with blinds for daily transport to the river provided everything we needed to capture incredible shots. An added attraction was photographing spectacular LeConte glacier – we cruised through incredible ice flows as we observed and photographed fantastic glacier calving, and hundreds of Harbor seals on icebergs. We also walked around and photographed grounded icebergs at low tide and got great ice shots.

This seasonal wonder of nature can ONLY be observed at this time of year. We will repeat the trip next year! Photographer guide Kevin Loughlin of Wildside Tours will guide the 2007 adventure. This special trip is limited to only 6 photographers, so reserve your space now!  

Stikine River Eagles

Bald eagle perched on a dead limb.		Passengers photograph eagles from behind snags and other blinds along the river.

"who could have ever expected such an incredible experience!"

- Ellie E.