Eagles Battle

The weather is the main issue. It is penetratingly cold, along with being cloudy and snowy. Sunshine was rare but when it was out, it made for difficult exposure with the dark bird on a white background. This particular shot was a rare occasion when the sun was out. I based my exposure on the bright snow, and set my exposure compensation to +2. My settings were: ISO 200; F 7.1; 1/2000.

Travel to Haines AK in late November to photograph the eagle congregation on the Chilkat River. The eagles congregate by the thousands to feed on the dead and dying salmon. Even thought there are plenty of dead fish to go around, they seem to like to fight over the carcasses. Photographing them entails finding a good spot along the river, and waiting from sun up to sun down for eagle action.