There are certain places that stay with you long before you ever set foot there. For me, that place was Haines, Alaska.
During my teenage years, I would often sit with my grandfather and watch wildlife documentaries on National Geographic. One evening, a documentary about bald eagles in Alaska appeared on the screen. Thousands of eagles gathered along a snowy river valley, surrounded by towering mountains and pristine wilderness. The scenery was unlike anything I had ever seen before.
That documentary sparked something in me. I became fascinated with bald eagles and immediately wanted to know where this incredible place was located. I remember thinking, “One day, I want to go there and photograph these birds in person.”
Years passed, but that dream never faded.
One day while browsing YouTube and searching for bald eagle photography locations, I came across a video that looked remarkably familiar. As I watched, I realized it was the same location I had seen years earlier in that documentary. The place was Haines, Alaska a destination widely regarded as one of the best places in North America to photograph wintering bald eagles.
I was instantly excited. By then, I had invested in a professional telephoto lens and was eager to put it to use. After a few messages and phone calls with friends, we began planning a trip to Haines in November to witness what is often considered the world’s largest gathering of bald eagles.
My First Visit to Haines
Our adventure began with a ferry ride into Haines. There were four of us, and none of us had ever visited the area before. We had no real expectations and no detailed plan—we simply wanted to explore and photograph eagles. The moment we arrived, we headed straight toward the Chilkat River. What happened next exceeded every expectation we had.
Before we even reached our intended destination, bald eagles were everywhere. Eagles perched in trees, soaring overhead, and gathering along the riverbanks. We were stopping the car every few minutes to take photographs because there was wildlife around every corner. The weather was cold and overcast, creating the perfect atmosphere for photography. Snow covered mountains surrounded the valley, and there was almost no traffic or crowds. It felt like we had discovered a hidden paradise.
As I stood there watching bald eagles soar through the valley, call to one another, and battle for salmon beneath snow-covered peaks, l couldn’t help but think back to that day sitting beside my grandfather watching television. Years earlier, I had dreamed of witnessing this place. Now I was standing in the middle of it, camera in hand. It was a moment l’ll never forget.
Five Incredible Days
Over the next five days, we explored the area from sunrise to sunset. Every day brought new opportunities and unforettable encounters. We photographed eagles fishing for salmon, interacting with one another, and flying against dramatic mountain backdrops. Some days we experienced soft snowfall, while on others we were greeted with beautiful light breaking through the clouds. By the end of the trip, our memory cards were filled with thousands of photographs and videos. More importantly, we returned home with memories that would last a lifetime.
Why Haines Is So Special
While the bald eagles are the main attraction, Haines itself is a wonderful place to visit. The town is small, quiet, and full of character. It’s the kind of place where people greet you with a smile and make you feel welcome. Despite its size, the local restaurants serve excellent food, and the relaxed atmosphere is a refreshing change from larger, busier destinations.
For photographers, Haines offers a rare combination of accessible wildlife, stunning landscapes, and incredible opportunities for natural behavior photography. Few places allow you to photograph bald eagles against such dramatic snow-covered scenery. It’s a truly unique destination.
From Scouting Trip to Photography Tours
That first trip was originally intended as a scouting expedition with friends. I wanted to experience Haines for myself and learn more about the area.What I didn’t realize at the time was that it would become one of my favorite photography destinations in the world.
Since then, I have returned year after year and now host small-group photography workshops in Haines every November. These tours are designed specifically for photographers who want to capture bald eagles in one of the most spectacular settings imaginable.
I intentionally keep my groups small-only four participants per tour. This allows me to spend more time with each photographer in the field, answer questions, provide camera and photography guidance, and help everyone maximize their opportunities. Whether you’re new to wildlife photography or have years of experience, the small-group format creates a more personal and rewarding experience.
More Than Just Bald Eagles
While bald eagles are the primary focus of the workshop, they are far from the only photographic opportunity. The Chilkat Valley is home to a variety of wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and constantly changing weather conditions that create unique photographic moments throughout the trip. And when darkness falls, the adventure may not be over.
If conditions are favorable and the skies clear, we may have the opportunity to photograph the Northern Lights dancing above the Alaskan wilderness. Seeing the Aurora Borealis after spending the day photographing bald eagles is an experience few photographers ever forget.
Join me in Haines
The bald eagle remains my favorite wildlife subject to photograph, and Haines remains my favorite place to photograph them. Every year I return because the experience never gets old. The wildlife, the scenery, the people, and the atmosphere continue to inspire me just as much as they did during my very first visit.
If you’ve ever dreamed of photographing bald eagles surrounded by snow covered mountains, witnessing incredible wildlife behavior, and experiencing the beauty of Alaska firsthand, I would love to share this place with you. Take a look through the images below, and perhaps one day I’ll see you in Haines, Alaska, experiencing the magic of this remarkable place for yourself.
Additional Images
Follow along for more wildlife encounters, photography stories, and future tours!