After a half-hour ride from Haines by van, we embarked in rafts on the braided Chilkat River through a preserve of startling beauty and a whole host of animals, including moose lurking in the bushes. However, we were here to see bald eagles and we were not disappointed. They were sitting in trees, on logs washed downstream by melting torrents released by mountain snow, and on shale rock sandbars of moraine washed into the river from melting glaciers. They were awaiting the salmon run that was soon about to begin. They knew that bears would be there too, but they were aware that there would be more than enough fish for all to feast on.
This company only takes out small groups of six to twelve people. We lucked out and we only had four in our raft. Our guide was a wonderful grizzled codger who had moved up from Texas years ago, fell in love with the virgin countryside and never left. He had a profound feeling for nature and the bounty it provided in terms of flora and fauna as well as the animals that resided here.
He explained that there were five kinds of salmon and that their runs occur at various times over the late summer to spawn their eggs and thereafter die having completed their life cycle duties. This natural instinct to return to the place of their own birth, means that the raptors (eagles and others) as well as brown coastal bears will get their fill of oil laden salmon to carry them through the winter months while in hibernation or otherwise.
We were on the water for well over two hours and every minute was well worth the trip. I shot so many pictures of these majestic birds including the young that are all brown and have yet to develop their white head and neck cap. upon landing, we were treated to a brown bag lunch and had time to share our thoughts on this adventure with the others in our group. I wold heartily recommend this half-day float tour.