Bald eagle and Chilkat River ice

A bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) sits on a log on the bank of the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska. During November and December several thousand bald eagles come to the alluvial delta area at the confluence of the Tsirku and Chilkat Rivers because of the availability of spawned-out salmon and open waters. The open water is due to a deep accumulation of gravel and sand that acts as a large water reservoir whose water temperature remains 10 to 20 degrees warmer than the surrounding water temperature. This warmer water seeps into the Chilkat River, keeping a five mile stretch of the river from freezing as quickly as other rivers in the area. The 48,000 acre area was designated as the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in 1982.

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Bald eagle and Chilkat River ice.jpg

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© John L. Dengler

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Alaska Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Alaska Department of Natural Resources Alaska State Parks America BAEA Bald Eagle Council Grounds Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Chilkat River Chilkat River Bald Eagle Preserve Haines Haliaeetus leucocephalus North America U.S. US USA United States United States of America animal animals aves avian bald eagle bird bird of prey birds birds of prey eagle eagles fauna horizontal ice nature no people nobody outdoors perch raptors scenery sit sitting snow southeast Alaska travel travel destination water wildlife

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Bald eagles - Chilkat River, Chilkoot River, Alaska