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  • A great egret (Ardea alba) looks for food from its parent. The nest is located in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret with chick.jpg
  • A great egret (Ardea alba) prepares to land in a tree located in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret landing.jpg
  • A broad-winged hawk waits patiently for a bird to approach a backyard bird feeder in Springfield, Mo. EDITORS NOTE: The hawk was photographed very near to the bird feeder. This should not be considered a wild/natural situation due to the presence of the backyard feeder. Caption for this photo must  indicate that the photo of the hawk was taken in a backyard near a bird feeder.
    Broad-winged hawk-3.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, talks to Haines School students about the bird bands she is attaching to the bald eagles in her research study. Since 2009, Haines School students have been conducting a weekly count of bald eagles during the fall semester for the citizen science class at the Haines School in Haines, Alaska. Wheat is conducting a bald eagle migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. The bald eagles are being tracked using solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) that attach to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. Along with the bright green leg bands, each of the research bald eagles will receive a silver aluminum U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) leg band. The bright green leg bands have larger identification information than the USGS bands making it easier to read using binoculars or a spotting scope. During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle migration research - 57.jpg
  • A white ibis (Eudocimus albus) lands in a tree  at sunset to roost overnight at the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida.
    White ibis lands in tree.jpg
  • The wood stork (Mycteria americana) an endangered species, sits in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The wood stork feeds by touch -- moving it's bill back and forth in the water, snapping up prey with its bill. The wood stork's snapping reflex is the fastest of all vertebrates -- 25 miliseconds. The Gatorland bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida.
    Wood stork.jpg
  • A snowy egret (Egretta thula)  examines the shell of a hatched egg in its nest. The nest is located in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida.
    Snowy egret with egg.jpg
  • A snowy egret (Egretta thula) hunts for fish in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Snowy egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Snowy egret fishing-3.jpg
  • A Roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) lands in a tree next to another spoonbill in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida.
    Roseate spoonbill.jpg
  • A little blue heron (Egretta caerulea) flys over the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida.
    Little blue heron fishing.jpg
  • A great egret (Ardea alba) makes a precarious landing in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret-2.jpg
  • Great egret (Ardea alba) chicks look for food from their parent. The nest is located in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret with chicks.jpg
  • A great egret (Ardea alba) flys above the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret flying-3.jpg
  • A Great egret (Ardea alba) regurgitates fish to feed its chicks. The nest is located in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret feeds chicks.jpg
  • Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) and an American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. A Great Blue Heron will wait motionless in water waiting for a fish to come within range. They also prey upon amphibians, small reptiles such as baby alligators and small birds.
    Great blue heron with alligator.jpg
  • A male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse struts across a lek in southern Wyoming. This photo shows a male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse with its distinctive orange comb and the purple air sacks that they inflate to amplify the courtship call and display their health. Also, note on the down-like feet the fleshy projections on their toes called pectinae. These help distribute the bird’s weight when walking on snow as snowshoes do.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse on lek.jpg
  • A broad-winged hawk waits patiently for a bird to approach backyard bird feeders in Springfield, Mo. EDITORS NOTE: The hawk was photographed very near to the bird feeder. This should not be considered a wild/natural situation due to the presence of the backyard feeder. Caption for this photo must  indicate that the photo of the hawk was taken in a backyard near a bird feeder.
    Broad-winged hawk-4.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz holds a leg band that will be attached to one of the bald eagles in her bald eagle migration study. The bald eagles in her study receive two different leg bands. Along with a silver aluminum U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) leg band, eagles also receive a bright green auxiliary leg band. The bright green leg bands have larger identification information than the USGS bands making it more easily read using a spotting scope. Wheat is conducting a bald eagle migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. Wheat is tracking bald eagles using solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as PTT - platform transmitter terminal)  that attach to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. Should the GPS transmitter fail or if the bird is found dead, spotted or recaptured, the leg bands can be another source of information. The latest tracking location data of this bald eagle known as "2Z" can be found here: http://www.ecologyalaska.com/eagle-tracker/2z/ . During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle migration research - 5.jpg
  • A snowy egret (Egretta thula) flys away with a fish in its mouth after diving for the fish in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Snowy egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Snowy egret fishing.jpg
  • Snowy egret (Egretta thula) chicks underneath a parent in a nest in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. It is not unusual for the two stongest chicks to toss a weaker sibling out of the nest to die.
    Snowy egret chicks.jpg
  • Snowy egret (Egretta thula) chicks look for food from their parent. Snowy egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The nest is located in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida.
    Hungry snowy egret chicks.jpg
  • Great egret (Ardea alba) chicks look for food from their parent. The nest is located in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret with chicks-2.jpg
  • A great egret (Ardea alba) looks out on the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret in tree.jpg
  • A great egret (Ardea alba) flys above the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret flying-2.jpg
  • A great egret (Ardea alba) flying in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret flying.jpg
  • A Great egret (Ardea alba) feeds its chicks with fish that it regurgitated. The nest is located in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret feeds chicks-2.jpg
  • A great egret (Ardea alba) looks out on the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret-3.jpg
  • A great egret (Ardea alba) flying with nesting material in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Great egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Great egret.jpg
  • A great blue heron (Ardea herodias) looks out on the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida.
    Great blue heron.jpg
  • A great blue heron (Ardea herodias) intently searches for fish in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. A Great Blue Heron will wait motionless in water waiting for a fish to come within range. They also prey upon amphibians, small reptiles such as baby alligators and small birds.
    Great blue heron-2.jpg
  • A male anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) regurgitates a fish it caught into the mouth of one of its chicks. The nest is in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida.
    Anhinga feeds chick.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz attaches a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) leg band to one of the bald eagles in her bald eagle migration study. The bald eagles in her study receive two different leg bands. Along with the silver aluminum USGS leg band, eagles also receive a bright green auxiliary leg band. The bright green leg bands have larger identification information than the USGS bands making it more easily read using a spotting scope. Wheat is conducting a bald eagle migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. Wheat is tracking bald eagles using solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as PTT - platform transmitter terminal)  that attach to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. Should the GPS transmitter fail or if the bird is found dead, spotted or recaptured, the leg bands can be another source of information. The latest location of this bald eagle known as "2Z" can be found here: http://www.ecologyalaska.com/eagle-tracker/2z/ . During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle migration research - 4.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, talks to Haines School students about the bird bands she is attaching to the bald eagles in her research study. Since 2009, Haines School students have been conducting a weekly count of bald eagles during the fall semester for the citizen science class at the Haines School in Haines, Alaska. Wheat is conducting a bald eagle migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. The bald eagles are being tracked using solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) that attach to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. Along with the bright green leg bands, each of the research bald eagles will receive a silver aluminum U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) leg band. The bright green leg bands have larger identification information than the USGS bands making it easier to read using binoculars or a spotting scope. Pictured left to right are Pam Randles, Takshanuk Watershed Council Education Director, Wheat, Heidi Kattenhorn, Allison Stuart, and Maggie Martin. During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle count - 43.jpg
  • A snowy egret (Egretta thula) in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Snowy egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s.
    Snowy egret.jpg
  • A snowy egret (Egretta thula) dives for a fish in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. Snowy egrets were hunted almost to extinction for its plumage, used by the fashion industry, in the 1800’s. The Aududon Society was formed during this period to push for protection for the birds from the fashion industry.
    Snowy egret fishing-2.jpg
  • A cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) flying with nesting material in the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. The bird sanctuary is the largest and most easily accessible wild wading bird rookery in east central Florida. The cattle egret is a prolific nester. They will build in any place that can support a nest, and prefer large colonies mixed with other wading birds, like the alligator breeding marsh at Gatorland.
    Cattle egret flying.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, positions a leg band on one of the bald eagles in the bald eagle migration study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. Rivets will permanently seal the band around the eagle’s leg. The bald eagles in Wheat’s study receive two different leg bands. Along with a a bright green auxiliary leg band, the eagles in Wheat's study also receive a silver aluminum U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) leg band. The bright green leg bands have larger identification information than the USGS bands making it easier to read using binoculars or a spotting scope. Wheat is conducting a bald eagle migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. The bald eagles are being tracked using solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) that attach to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. Should the GPS transmitter fail or if the bird is found dead, spotted or recaptured, the leg bands can be another source of information. The latest tracking location data of this bald eagle known as "2Z" can be found here: http://www.ecologyalaska.com/eagle-tracker/2z/ . During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle migration research - 7.jpg
  • A cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) looks out on the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. A buff coloration appears on the crown, back, and chest, with the bill and legs turning a vivid red during mating season.
    Cattle egret portrait.jpg
  • A cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) looks out on the Gatorland alligator breeding marsh and bird sanctuary near Orlando, Florida. A buff coloration appears on the crown, back, and chest, with the bill and legs turning red during mating season.
    Cattle egret.jpg
  • Great egret (Ardea alba) chicks in a nest in a wild wading bird rookery located on the Gatorland property in central Florida. It is not unusual for the two stongest chicks to toss a weaker sibling out of the nest to die.
    Great egret chicks.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, poses for a photo with bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) "4P" before releasing the bald eagle back into the wild. Wheat is conducting a bald eagle migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. The bald eagles are being tracked using solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) that attach to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. A handmade leather hood is placed over the bald eagle’s eyes to keep the bird calm. Leather booties cover the bald eagle’s powerful talons to protect researchers during the process of taking measurements and attaching the GPS satellite transmitter. The latest location of this eagle can be found here: http://www.ecologyalaska.com/eagle-tracker/4p/ . During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle migration research - 48.jpg
  • The booming-like sound emitted from the orange air sac of the male greater prairie-chicken can be heard up to a mile away. The bird inflates the sack during its courtship ritual when wooing females. This male greater prairie-chicken was photographed on a lek in Mitchell County, Kansas.<br />
<br />
The greater prairie-chicken or pinnated grouse (Tympanuchus cupido) is known for its mating ritual by males called booming. In the spring, males gather on leks, also known as booming grounds, in which they defend small areas on the lek to perform their mating displays for visiting females. This display includes extending their orange eye combs, lowering the head, raising two tufts of feathers on the neck, and pointing the tail slightly forward while stamping their feet rapidly. In addition, males will vigorously defend their territory on the lek by chasing, leaping in the air, and dramatic fighting. <br />
<br />
Greater prairie-chickens are threatened by climate changes (drought or too much rain) and habitat loss. In particular, habitat loss caused by wind energy development. Prairie-chickens need large expanses of open grassland without tall objects (like wind turbines or power lines and power poles) that provide a raptor to perch on.
    Male greater prairie-chicken booming.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, poses for a photo with bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) "4P" before releasing the bald eagle back into the wild. Wheat is conducting a bald eagle migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. The bald eagles are being tracked using solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) that attach to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. A handmade leather hood is placed over the bald eagle’s eyes to keep the bird calm. Leather booties cover the bald eagle’s powerful talons to protect researchers during the process of taking measurements and attaching the GPS satellite transmitter. The latest location of this eagle can be found here: http://www.ecologyalaska.com/eagle-tracker/4p/ . During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle migration research - 47.jpg
  • A female willow ptarmigan ruffles its feathers along the Savage River near the Savage Canyon Trail in Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Ptarmigan have feather covered feet to help protect from frozen ground. Its plumage is seasonal. During the winter their feathers turn to white to help camouflage the bird against predators.
    Ptarmigan.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz stores a small sample of bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) feathers that were obtained during the capture of the bird in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Feather samples are used for stable isotope analyses. Wheat is conducting a bald eagle migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. The bald eagles are being tracked using solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) that attach to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle migration research - 44.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (left) and Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, prepare to release bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) "4P" back into the wild. Wheat is conducting a bald eagle migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. The bald eagles are being tracked using solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) that attach to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. A handmade leather hood is placed over the bald eagle’s eyes to keep the bird calm. Leather booties protect the researchers from the bald eagle’s powerful talons during the process of taking measurements and attaching the GPS satellite transmitter. The latest location of this eagle can be found here: http://www.ecologyalaska.com/eagle-tracker/4p/ . During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle migration research - 49.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, poses for a photo with bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) "4P" before it is released back into the wild. Lewis assisted Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, with the capturing of bald eagles for her migration study of bald eagles that visit the Chilkat River. Wheat hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. The bald eagles are being tracked using solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) that attach to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. A handmade leather hood is placed over the bald eagle’s eyes to keep the bird calm. Leather booties cover the bald eagle’s powerful talons to protect researchers during the process of taking measurements and attaching the GPS satellite transmitter. The latest location of this eagle can be found here: http://www.ecologyalaska.com/eagle-tracker/4p/ . During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle migration research - 50.jpg
  • An upland sandpiper rests on a fence post along a country road in the Flint Hills of Kansas east of the town of Cassoday in Butler County Kansas. The upland sandpiper is not associated with water like other sandpipers instead it nests and feeds on the prairie. The bird travels long distances, wintering in the pampas (prairies) of Argentina.
    Upland sandpiper.jpg
  • A lone bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flies above the ice-laden Chilkat River during sunrise in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska. Photographers from around the world come to the Chilkat River to photograph bald eagles. During November and December several thousand bald eagles are seen along the river allowing for ample opportunities to photograph the birds along with beautiful scenery that the area offers. In 1982, the 48,000 acre area was designated as the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.
    Chilkat River sunrise with bald eagl...jpg
  • A lone bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flies above the ice-laden Chilkat River during sunrise in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska. Photographers from around the world come to the Chilkat River to photograph bald eagles. During November and December several thousand bald eagles are seen along the river allowing for ample opportunities to photograph the birds along with beautiful scenery that the area offers. In 1982, the 48,000 acre area was designated as the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.
    Chilkat River sunrise with bald eagl...jpg
  • A lone bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flies above the ice-laden Chilkat River during sunrise in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska. Photographers from around the world come to the Chilkat River to photograph bald eagles. During November and December several thousand bald eagles are seen along the river allowing for ample opportunities to photograph the birds along with beautiful scenery that the area offers. In 1982, the 48,000 acre area was designated as the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.
    Chilkat River sunrise with bald eagl...jpg
  • Allison Stuart prepares to photograph birds along Lutak Inlet near Haines, Alaska. Since 2009, students have been conducting a weekly count of bald eagles during the fall semester for the citizen science class at the Haines School. The project is part of a field-based for-credit class, sponsored by the Takshanuk Watershed Council, in which students participate in research studies and learn about field data collection. Under the guidance of Pam Randles, Takshanuk Watershed Council Education Director, students count bald eagles in the Chilkat River Valley using spotting scopes at 10 locations and present their data at the Bald Eagle Festival held in November in Haines. During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle count - 2.jpg
  • A juvenile bald eagle swoops down on trumpeter swans and other waterfowl in the Snow Goose Pond Complex at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs  is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 7,440-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. <br />
<br />
The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats.
    Bald eagle attacking swans.jpg
  • A pair of bald eagles perched in a tree overlooking the Cattail Pool at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 7,440-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. <br />
<br />
The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats.
    Pair of bald eagles with setting moo...jpg
  • A juvenile bald eagle surveys the Pelican Pool at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 7,440-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. <br />
<br />
The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats.
    Juvenile bald eagle.jpg
  • A bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) feeds on a still alive, flopping chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) on the bank of the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska. Note the white talons of the eagle which are caused by a leucistic condition -- a condition of reduced pigmentation. Unlike albinism, the eye color is normal. The birds feeding on salmon scraps are black-billed magpies. During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle eating live salmon.jpg
  • A pair of bald eagles perched in a tree near an eagle nest overlooking the Cattail Pool at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 7,440-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. <br />
<br />
The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats.
    Pair of bald eagles with setting moo...jpg
  • A bald eagle awaits sunrise as the moon sets at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 7,440-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. <br />
<br />
The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats.
    Bald eagle with setting moon.jpg
  • A juvenile bald eagle flys past a bald eagle nest at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 7,440-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. <br />
<br />
The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats.
    Bald eagle flying by eagle nest.jpg
  • Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), an icon of the American West, once numbered as many as 16 million birds. Today, fewer than 200,000 remain. Their population is in decline due to loss of habitat from energy development and residential building in sage brush areas. A scientific study found that the population declined 55 percent from 2007 to 2013. Sage grouse are named for the sagebrush that they primarily feed on. <br />
<br />
Greater sage-grouse are an umbrella species. Conserving their habitat benefits 350 other species. Greater sage-grouse had been listed as a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. In 2015, after evaluating the best available scientific and commercial information regarding the greater sage-grouse, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has determined that protection for the greater sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act is no longer warranted and withdrew the species from the candidate species list.<br />
<br />
Males are known for the large air sacks on their breasts that they inflate during elaborate courtship dances performed on leks (mating areas). Sage-grouse are the largest native grouse in North America.
    Greater sage-grouse tail.jpg
  • Pam Randles, Takshanuk Watershed Council Education Director (center), reviews the previous day’s bald eagle count that her team of students conducted for their citizen science class at the Haines School with a team of researchers studying bald eagle migration. Rachel Wheat (left), a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz is conducting a bald eagle migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. Wheat is tracking bald eagles using solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal)  that attach to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. Assisting Wheat with the capture, tagging and mounting of the transmitters on the birds are (from right to left): Dr. Scott Ford, avian veterinarian, Avian Speciality Veterinary Services of Alaska; Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Yiwei Wang, graduate student at University of California Santa Cruz; Dr. Taal Levi, wildlife ecologist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and Dr. Chris Wilmers, associate professor University of California Santa Cruz (second from left). Also pictured (third person from left) is Liza Gross, freelance journalist. During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle count - 40.jpg
  • A bald eagle watches the sun rise at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 7,440-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. <br />
<br />
The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats.
    Bald eagle at sunrise.jpg
  • A bald eagle watches the sun rise as the moon sets at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 7,440-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. <br />
<br />
The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats.
    Bald eagle with setting moon-2.jpg
  • A bald eagle swoops down on waterfowl in the Snow Goose Pond Complex at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs  is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 7,440-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. <br />
<br />
The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats.
    Bald eagle attacking ducks.jpg
  • A juvenile bald eagle feeds on the remains of waterfowl in the Pelican Pool at the Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 7,440-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. <br />
<br />
The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats.
    Juvenile bald eagle feeding.jpg
  • A flock of surf scoters in the East Arm of Glacier Bay in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska float on the ocean. In the background are  Point George, Mount Case, and Mount Wright.<br />
<br />
According to the Cornell Ornithology Lab, “surf scoters are “molt migrants,” meaning that after nesting, adults fly to an area where they can molt their flight feathers. They briefly become flightless before continuing to their wintering range, and molting areas provide some protection from weather and predators." These spots include the sheltered waters of Southeast Alaska.<br />
<br />
Glacier Bay National Park is located in southeast Alaska. The park is also an important marine wilderness area known for its spectacular tidewater glaciers, icefields, and tall coastal mountains. The park, a popular destination for cruise ships, is also known for its sea kayaking and wildlife viewing opportunities. <br />
<br />
Glacier Bay National Park is home to humpback whales which feed in the park's protected waters during the summer, both black and grizzly bears, moose, wolves, sea otters, harbor seals, steller's sea lions, and numerous species of sea birds. <br />
<br />
The dynamically changing park, known for its large, contiguous, intact ecosystems, is a United Nations biosphere reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    Surf scoters.jpg
  • A flock of surf scoters in the East Arm of Glacier Bay in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska float on the ocean.<br />
<br />
According to the Cornell Ornithology Lab, “surf scoters are “molt migrants,” meaning that after nesting, adults fly to an area where they can molt their flight feathers. They briefly become flightless before continuing to their wintering range, and molting areas provide some protection from weather and predators." These spots include the sheltered waters of Southeast Alaska.<br />
<br />
Glacier Bay National Park is located in southeast Alaska. The park is also an important marine wilderness area known for its spectacular tidewater glaciers, icefields, and tall coastal mountains. The park, a popular destination for cruise ships, is also known for its sea kayaking and wildlife viewing opportunities. <br />
<br />
Glacier Bay National Park is home to humpback whales which feed in the park's protected waters during the summer, both black and grizzly bears, moose, wolves, sea otters, harbor seals, steller's sea lions, and numerous species of sea birds. <br />
<br />
The dynamically changing park, known for its large, contiguous, intact ecosystems, is a United Nations biosphere reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    Surf scoters-2.jpg
  • A tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) flies towards South Marble Island in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. For most of their lives, tufted puffins live on the open ocean, far from shore, only to return to the nesting cliff where they hatched. Underwater, they open their wings and “fly,” diving as much as 360 feet deep. Tufted puffins will also consume their prey underwater unless they bring food back to the nest's chicks. When returning food to the nest, they can hold as many as  20 fish in their bill crosswise. Tufted puffins are heavy for their wing size. To fly, they beat their winds upwards of 400 times a minute to stay in the air.<br />
<br />
Glacier Bay National Park is located in southeast Alaska. The park is also an important marine wilderness area known for its spectacular tidewater glaciers, icefields, and tall coastal mountains. The park, a popular destination for cruise ships, is also known for its sea kayaking and wildlife viewing opportunities. <br />
<br />
Glacier Bay National Park is home to humpback whales which feed in the park's protected waters during the summer, both black and grizzly bears, moose, wolves, sea otters, harbor seals, steller's sea lions, and numerous species of sea birds. <br />
<br />
The dynamically changing park, known for its large, contiguous, intact ecosystems, is a United Nations biosphere reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    Tufted puffin.jpg
  • Nesting birds cover the slope of Crater Hill, an extinct volcano, at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. The refuge, part of the part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is home to the largest populations of nesting seabirds in Hawaii including red-footed boobies, Laysan albatrosses, wedge-tailed shearwaters which nest along the ocean cliffs. Nearby is the Kilauea Point Lighthouse which is also part of the refuge.
    Crater Hill.jpg
  • Three male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse perform a mating dance on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse dancin...jpg
  • Two male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse faceoff each other on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse faceof...jpg
  • A male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse is chased by other males on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse chase.jpg
  • A  male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse performs a mating dance on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse dancin...jpg
  • A female Columbian sharp-tailed grouse surveys a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse - fema...jpg
  • Two male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse fight on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse fighti...jpg
  • A female Columbian sharp-tailed grouse is chased by other males on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse chase ...jpg
  • Two male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse faceoff each other on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse faceof...jpg
  • Male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse perform their mating dance on a lek during the pre-dawn in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse dancin...jpg
  • A juvenile bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) sits in a tree and calls in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve along the Chilkat River near Haines, Alaska. During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Juvenile bald eagle in tree.jpg
  • A  male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse takes flight from a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse dancin...jpg
  • Two male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse fight on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse fighti...jpg
  • A male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse surveys a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse restin...jpg
  • A female Columbian sharp-tailed grouse surveys a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse - fema...jpg
  • A  male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse performs a mating dance on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse dancin...jpg
  • A  male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse struts across a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse struts.jpg
  • A male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse faces off with another male on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse faceof...jpg
  • A male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse surveys a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse survey...jpg
  • A male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse rests on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse restin...jpg
  • A male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse takes flight from a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse in fli...jpg
  • Two male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse fight on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse fighti...jpg
  • Two male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse faceoff each other on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse stando...jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, releases bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) "4P" back into the wild. Note the GPS transmitter on the eagle’s back and the dual leg bands. One leg band is used by the researcher and the other is registered with the U.S. Geological Survey. Wheat is conducting a bald eagle migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. The bald eagles are being tracked using solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) that attach to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. The latest location of this eagle can be found here: http://www.ecologyalaska.com/eagle-tracker/4p/ . During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world. EDITOR'S NOTE: This image is a cropped version of the image I0000DKmhuipNOvQ.
    Bald eagle migration research - 54.jpg
  • Two male Columbian sharp-tailed grouse fight on a lek in southern Wyoming.<br />
<br />
The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) is one of the seven recognized subspecies of North American sharp-tailed grouse. It is also the rarest and smallest of the subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have experienced declines in distribution and population due to overuse and development of the mountain shrub and grasslands that it favors. It is native to the sagebrush steppe of the western United States and British Columbia. First described by the Lewis & Clark expedition, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse were once the most abundant grouse in the West. Today, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse no occupy less than 10 percent of its historic range. It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.<br />
<br />
Like other grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse congregate year after year in the spring on a small area known as a lek. Males perform highly animated dancing courtship displays to impress females to mate. These displays consist of rapidly stamping their feet at blur-like speed while keeping with their wings extended, often rotating in a circle.
    Columbian sharp-tailed grouse fighti...jpg
  • Once a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is captured, a hood is placed on the eagle to keep it calm. Additionally, a wrap is placed around the eagle to protect its wings during body measurement collection and GPS satellite transmitter installation. Here Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (left), Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz (center) and Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (right) prepare to band a captured bald eagle that will be part of a migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River. The latest tracking location data of this bald eagle known as "2Z" can be found here: http://www.ecologyalaska.com/eagle-tracker/2z/ . During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle migration research - 6.jpg
  • A bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flies with a salmon carcass past ice covered trees sparkling in the golden light of sunrise at the confluence of the Tsirku and Chilkat Rivers in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. During November and December several thousand bald eagles come to the alluvial delta area at the confluence of the Tsirku and Chilkat Rivers near Haines, Alaska 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.
    Bald eagle flying with fish in golde...jpg
  • Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) survey the Chilkat River from a tree as another  bald eagle flies by above the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska. During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve to feed on salmon in what is believed to be the largest gathering of bald eagles in the world.
    bald eagles in trees.jpg
  • An unidentified woman photographs a bald eagle during a feeding demonstration at the American Bald Eagle Foundation in Haines, Alaska. <br />
<br />
The American Bald Eagle Foundation, founded in 1982, is a popular tourism attraction. Here tourists can see live raptor demonstrations and interpretive wildlife displays. The foundation also sponsors the Alaska Bald Eagle Festival during the fall for a gathering of bald eagles that is among the largest in the world. The foundation’s website says that it is a non-profit foundation "dedicated to the protection and preservation of bald eagle habitat through sponsoring and facilitating educational and research activities."
    Eagle feeding demonstration.jpg
  • Bald eagles feed on salmon in the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in late afternoon light. During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world.
    Bald eagles in late afternoon light.jpg
  • A bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) surveys the Chilkat River at sunrise from a tree above the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska. During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve to feed on salmon in what is believed to be the largest gathering of bald eagles in the world.
    Sunrise with bald eagle.jpg
  • The golden light of sunrise causes ice covered trees to sparkle at the confluence of the Tsirku and Chilkat Rivers in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. During November and December several thousand bald eagles come to the alluvial delta area at the confluence of the Tsirku and Chilkat Rivers near Haines, Alaska 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.
    Golden light on ice covered trees.jpg
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