• Facebook
  • Twitter
x

Dengler Images Photo Archive

  • Portfolio
    • Portfolio book
    • Sample images
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • About
    • Bio
    • Services
    • Instagram
    • Newsletter signup
    • Copyright
    • Privacy Policy
  • Store
    • Licensing
    • Prints
    • Note Cards
    • Books
  • Contact
  • Search
Show Navigation
Cart Lightbox Client Area

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
Next
{ 153 images found }
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • 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
  • Dr. Scott Ford, avian veterinarian, Avian Speciality Veterinary Services of Alaska (left), uses his cell phone to film Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, for a field report of her describing her bald eagle research. 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. Information about Wheat’s bald eagle migration study and the latest updates on the locations of the bald eagles she is tracking can be found on the Ecology Alaska website http://www.ecologyalaska.com . Social media and education outreach are an important part of of Wheat’s project. Wheat along with Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz and Dr. Taal Levi, wildlife ecologist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies funded their various Alaska research projects through an innovative Kickstarter fundraising campaign. 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 - 34.jpg
  • For a moment Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, thinks a bald eagle might be caught in one of the leg snare traps he placed in the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The bald eagles were being caught as part of a research study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. Wheat is studying the migration of bald eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. Once caught, solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) are attached 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 - 58.jpg
  • Dr. Scott Ford, avian veterinarian, Avian Speciality Veterinary Services of Alaska (right), reviews a video he made for his website of Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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. Information about Wheat’s bald eagle migration study and the latest updates on the locations of the bald eagles she is tracking can be found on the Ecology Alaska website http://www.ecologyalaska.com . Social media and education outreach are an important facet of Wheat’s project. Wheat along with Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz and Dr. Taal Levi, wildlife ecologist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies funded their various Alaska research projects through an innovative Kickstarter fundraising campaign. 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 - 35.jpg
  • Once leg snare and net launcher traps to catch bald eagles are set, it is a matter of waiting -- and waiting. On some days no eagles were caught, on others, only one or two were caught. The eagles were being caught as part of a research study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. Wheat is studying the migration of bald eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. Once caught, solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) are attached to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. The eagles are then released back into the wild. Pictured here on the bank of the Chilkat River (left to right) are Dr. Scott Ford, avian veterinarian, Avian Speciality Veterinary Services of Alaska,  Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz, Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Wheat. 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 - 42.jpg
  • Once leg snare and net launcher traps to catch bald eagles are set, it is a matter of waiting -- and waiting. On some days no eagles were caught, on others, only one or two were caught. The bald eagles were being caught as part of a research study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. Wheat is studying the migration of bald eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. Once caught, solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) are attached to the backs of the eagles using a lightweight harness. The eagles are then released back into the wild. Pictured here on the bank of the Chilkat River (left to right) are Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left), Wheat, and Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz (right). 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 - 56.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, gently resets one of the leg snare traps being used to trap bald eagles on the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. When a bald eagle lands on the hinged perch, a spring is sprung which tightens a looped cord around the eagle’s legs. Lewis, and Dr. Scott Ford, avian veterinarian, Avian Speciality Veterinary Services of Alaska (left) were assisting in the capture of bald eagles for a research study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. Wheat is studying the migration of bald 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 - 41.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, tries to keep the bottoms of his frozen boots warm by standing on an insulation pad. Lewis was helping with the capture of bald eagles on the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The bald eagles were being caught as part of a research study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. Wheat is studying the migration of bald eagles that visit the Chilkat River for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to learn how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. Once caught, solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) are attached 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 - 70.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, places a vial containing a sample of bear saliva on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<br />
A partially consumed chum salmon lies on the banks of the spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation
    Bear saliva DNA research-16.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, photographs a salmon carcass from which she has taken a bear saliva DNA sample from on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.
    Bear saliva DNA research-24.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, uses a GPS to record the location a salmon carcass from which she has taken a bear saliva DNA sample from on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.
    Bear saliva DNA research-22.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, takes a bear saliva DNA sample from the bite hole of a partially consumed salmon on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.
    Bear saliva DNA research-13.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, searches for salmon carcasses on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.
    Bear saliva DNA research-3.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
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, photographs a salmon carcass from which she has taken a bear saliva DNA sample from on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.
    Bear saliva DNA research-26.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, enters the notes for a DNA sample she has taken onto her box of bear saliva samples she has collected from salmon on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.
    Bear saliva DNA research-17.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, takes a bear saliva DNA sample from a partially consumed salmon on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.
    Bear saliva DNA research-14.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, takes a bear saliva DNA sample from a partially consumed salmon on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.
    Bear saliva DNA research-12.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, takes a bear saliva DNA sample from a partially consumed salmon on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.
    Bear saliva DNA research-10.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, searches for salmon carcasses on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.
    Bear saliva DNA research-1,.jpg
  • Pam Randles, Takshanuk Watershed Council Education Director, records the measurements of a bald eagle captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve by researchers studying bald eagle migration. Rachel Wheat a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz is conducting a bald eagle migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River near Haines, Alaska 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. 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 - 3.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, records information onto a vial containing a bear saliva swab sample she collected from a salmon on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.
    Bear saliva DNA research-18.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, takes a bear saliva DNA sample from a partially consumed salmon on the banks of the man-made spawning channel of Herman Creek, near Haines, Alaska.<br />
<br />
Wheat is collecting DNA samples of bears from bear saliva left on salmon carcasses as part of research for her doctoral dissertation. She hopes to determine if partially-consumed salmon carcasses can serve as a viable source for bear DNA to genotype individuals. She also looking to determine a minimum population estimate for the number of bears using the Chilkoot Valley and the ratio of males to females, particularly in light of increase human presence. <br />
<br />
The bear DNA collection is part of her dissertation which looks at how the availability of salmon affects eagle movement, bear activity, and subsistence fishermen. EDITORS NOTE: Images of Wheat capturing bald eagles for the bald eagle portion of her study are available here: http://denglerimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bald-eagle-research-Chilkat-River-eagle-migration-study/G0000GTyPvah7eiQ/<br />
<br />
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.
    Bear saliva DNA research-9.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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (center) holds bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) "4P" as it is being prepared to be released back into the wild. Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz (left), and Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (right), remove the leather booties that protected the researchers from the bald eagle’s powerful talons during the process of taking measurements and attaching the GPS satellite transmitter. 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.
    Bald eagle migration research - 51.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz uses calipers to take anatomy measurements of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. In this photo she is measuring the toe (hallux) claw. Beak measurements and toe claw length are two measurements that help determine the gender of a bald eagle. Female bald eagles typically have larger beaks, feet and talons. This reversal of gender size is called reverse sexual size dimorphism. 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. Assisting Wheat with the measurements by holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz. 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 - 14.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, records information about a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) that was captured for a study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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 - 33.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
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, resets one of the leg snare traps she is using to trap bald eagles on the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. 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 - 59.jpg
  • Under a wary eye of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left), and Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, reset one of the leg snare trap being used to trap bald eagles on the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. 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 - 63.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left), and Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, demonstrate the size and reach of the net launcher used to capture bald eagles on the Chilkat River. The net launcher, sometimes also referred to as a ballistic net, uses three projectiles that are attached to a large lightweight net. A salmon carcass is used at bait in front of the launcher. A radio-controlled trigger to launch the net is used when an eagle lands next to the bait. The trap was used to capture bald eagles for a study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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 - 73.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left), and Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, cross the snow-covered gravel bar of the Chilkat River to remove the traps they had set to catch bald eagles. Each morning under darkness they would set their traps. Then in the late afternoon they would remove them. 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 - 74.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service used leg snare traps and also a net launcher to capture bald eagles on the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Pictured here is a leg snare trap attached to a driftwood log. Leg snare traps employ a lopped cord draped over a hinged perch. When a bald eagle lands on the perch a spring is sprung which tightens a looped cord around the bald eagle’s legs. The trap was used to capture bald eagles for a study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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 - 75.jpg
  • IMAGE 2 OF 5 IMAGE SEQUENCE -- Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, demonstrates how the hinged perch of a leg snare trap works. When a bald eagle lands on the hinged perch, a spring is sprung which tightens a looped cord around the eagle’s legs. 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 - 78.jpg
  • IMAGE 4 OF 5 IMAGE SEQUENCE -- Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, demonstrates how the hinged perch of a leg snare trap works. When a bald eagle lands on the hinged perch, a spring is sprung which tightens a looped cord around the eagle’s legs. 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 - 80.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz holds one of the solar-powered GPS satellite transmitters (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) that will be attached to the backs of bald eagles in her bald eagle migration study. The 2.47 ounce transmitter, attached with a lightweight harness, will allow Wheat to see how closely eagles track salmon availability across time and space. The transmitter will record location and other information every hour during daylight hours. That information is uploaded to the ARGOS satellite system into a database where the information can be downloaded for mapping and further study. The eagles in her study were trapped, measured, banded, and then released with the transmitters in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near 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 migration research - 2.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
  • 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
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, instructs Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz how to place calipers to take length and depth measurements of the beak of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Beak measurements and toe claw (hallux) length are two measurements that help determine the gender of a bald eagle. Female bald eagles typically have larger beaks, feet and talons. This reversal of gender size is called reverse sexual size dimorphism. 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 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 - 11.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (center), instructs Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (left) how to place calipers to take length and depth measurements of the beak of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Beak measurements and toe claw (hallux) length are two measurements that help determine the gender of a bald eagle. Female bald eagles typically have larger beaks, feet and talons. This reversal of gender size is called reverse sexual size dimorphism. 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. Assisting Wheat with the measurements by holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz (right). 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 - 12.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz uses calipers to take length and depth measurements of the beak of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. In this photo she is determining the beak depth. Beak measurements and toe claw (hallux) length are two measurements that help determine the gender of a bald eagle. Female bald eagles typically have larger beaks, feet and talons. This reversal of gender size is called reverse sexual size dimorphism. 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. Assisting Wheat with the measurements by holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz. 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 - 13.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left), attaches a solar-powered GPS satellite transmitter (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) to the back of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) using a lightweight harness. Assisting Lewis with the attaching of the GPS satellite transmitter by holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz (right). The eagle, captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve will be tracked by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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 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 - 16.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left), attaches a solar-powered GPS satellite transmitter (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) to the back of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) using a lightweight harness. Assisting Lewis with the attaching of the GPS satellite transmitter by holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz (right). The eagle, captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve will be tracked by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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 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 - 17.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (center), attaches a solar-powered GPS satellite transmitter (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) to the back of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) using a lightweight harness. Assisting Lewis with the attaching of the GPS satellite transmitter by holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz (right). Dr. Scott Ford, avian veterinarian, Avian Speciality Veterinary Services of Alaska (left), films the procedure using a Go-Pro camera. The eagle, captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve will be tracked by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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 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 - 20.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (center) prepares to open the wings of a juvenile bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) so it may be photographed. Photos of a juvenile bald eagle’s molting, particularly in the head and tail feathers, can help determine its age before it reaches maturity due to the sequential molting pattern eagles experience during the first five years of their life. Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (left), 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. Assisting is Dr. Chris Wilmers, associate professor, University of California Santa Cruz (right). Watching the procedure is Dr. Taal Levi, wildlife ecologist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies (second from left). 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 - 31.jpg
  • Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz, uses a spotting scope to check on leg snare traps placed on logs in the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. The traps are being used to capture bald eagles that will be used in a study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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 - 36.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, resets one of the leg snare traps she is using to trap bald eagles on the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. 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 - 37.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, gently resets one of the leg snare traps being used to trap bald eagles on the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. Leg snare traps employ a lopped cord draped over a hinged perch. When a bald eagle lands on the perch a spring is sprung which tightens the looped cord around the bald eagle’s legs. 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 - 40.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (right), uses a spotting scope to check on leg snare traps attached to logs in the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. The traps are being used to capture bald eagles that will be used in a study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (left). Once leg snare and net launcher traps to catch bald eagles are set, it is a matter of waiting -- and waiting. On some days no eagles were caught, on others, only one or two were caught. 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 - 62.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, use spotting scopes to check on leg snare and net launcher traps they set on the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. The traps are being used to capture bald eagles that will be used in a study being conducted by Wheat. Once the traps are set, it is a matter of waiting -- and waiting. On some days no eagles were caught, on others, only one or two were caught. 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 - 68-2.jpg
  • Under the setting moon, rising sun and a bald eagle flying above, Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left) and Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz wait for bald eagles to land on the traps they set on the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. Each morning under the cover of darkness they would set their traps. The traps are being used to capture bald eagles that will be used in a study being conducted by Wheat. Once the traps are set, it is a matter of waiting -- and waiting. On some days no eagles were caught, on others, only one or two were caught. 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 - 68.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service used two types of traps to capture bald eagles on the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. At left is a camouflaged net launcher, and on the driftwood log at right is a leg snare trap. The net launcher uses three projectiles that are attached to a large lightweight net. A salmon carcass is used at bait in front of the launcher. A radio-controlled trigger to launch the net is used when an eagle lands next to the bait. Leg snare traps employ a lopped cord on a hinged perch. When a bald eagle lands on the perch a spring is sprung which tightens a looped cord around the bald eagle’s legs. The two types of traps were used to capture bald eagles for a study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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 - 71.jpg
  • IMAGE 1 OF 5 IMAGE SEQUENCE -- Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, demonstrates how the hinged perch of a leg snare trap works. When a bald eagle lands on the hinged perch, a spring is sprung which tightens a looped cord around the eagle’s legs. 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 - 77.jpg
  • IMAGE 3 OF 5 IMAGE SEQUENCE -- Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, demonstrates how the hinged perch of a leg snare trap works. When a bald eagle lands on the hinged perch, a spring is sprung which tightens a looped cord around the eagle’s legs. 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 - 79.jpg
  • IMAGE 5 OF 5 IMAGE SEQUENCE -- Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, demonstrates how the hinged perch of a leg snare trap works. When a bald eagle lands on the hinged perch, a spring is sprung which tightens a looped cord around the eagle’s legs. 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 - 81.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left), and Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, remove one of the leg snare traps they used catch bald eagles. Each morning under darkness they would set their traps. Then in the late afternoon they would remove them. 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 - 83.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service used leg snare traps and also a net launcher to capture bald eagles on the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Pictured here is a net launcher. The net launcher, sometimes also referred to as a ballistic net, uses three projectiles that are attached to a large lightweight net. A salmon carcass is used at bait in front of the launcher. A radio-controlled trigger to launch the net is used when an eagle lands next to the bait. The trap was used to capture bald eagles for a study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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 - 85.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
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz uses calipers to take length and depth measurements of the beak of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. In this photo she is determining the culmen length. Beak measurements and toe claw (hallux) length are two measurements that help determine the gender of a bald eagle. Female bald eagles typically have larger beaks, feet and talons. This reversal of gender size is called reverse sexual size dimorphism. 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 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 - 10.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left), prepares to attach a solar-powered GPS satellite transmitter (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) to the back of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) using a lightweight harness. The eagle, captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve will be tracked by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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 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 - 18.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left), attaches a solar-powered GPS satellite transmitter (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) to the back of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) using a lightweight harness. Assisting Lewis with the attaching of the GPS satellite transmitter by holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz (right). The eagle, captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve will be tracked by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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 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 - 19.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (left), seals the rivets of a lightweight harness to which a solar-powered GPS satellite transmitter (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) is attached to the back of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Assisting Wheat by holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz (right). A handmade leather hood keeps the eagle calm during the procedure. 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 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 - 21.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (left), Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (center) and Dr. Chris Wilmers, associate professor, University of California Santa Cruz (right) hold up the wings of a juvenile bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) so it may be photographed. Photos of a juvenile bald eagle’s molting, particularly in the head and tail feathers, can help determine its age before it reaches maturity due to the sequential molting pattern eagles experience during the first five years of their life. 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 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 - 32.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, demonstrates how the hinged perch of a leg snare trap works. When a bald eagle lands on the hinged perch, a spring is sprung which tightens a looped cord around the eagle’s legs. 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 - 38.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, gently resets one of the leg snare traps being used to trap bald eagles on the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. Leg snare traps employ a lopped cord draped over a hinged perch. When a bald eagle lands on the perch a spring is sprung which tightens the looped cord around the bald eagle’s legs. 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 - 39.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, releases 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. 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 - 52.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, releases bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) "4P" back into the wild. Watching the release is Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, who helped Wheat with the capturing of the bald eagles. 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.
    Bald eagle migration research - 53.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, uses a spotting scope to check on leg snare traps attached to logs in the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. The traps are being used to capture bald eagles that will be used in a study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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 - 55.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, places camouflage on a net launcher that he is using to capture bald eagles on the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. The net launcher, along with leg snare traps, is being used to capture bald eagles that will be used in a study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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. Pictured in the background is the Tlingit village of Klukwan. 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 - 60.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, use spotting scopes to check on leg snare and net launcher traps they set on the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. The traps are being used to capture bald eagles that will be used in a study being conducted by Wheat. Once the traps are set, it is a matter of waiting -- and waiting. On some days no eagles were caught, on others, only one or two were caught. 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 - 66.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, use spotting scopes to check on leg snare and net launcher traps they set on the gravel bar of the Chilkat River. The traps are being used to capture bald eagles that will be used in a study being conducted by Wheat. Once the traps are set, it is a matter of waiting -- and waiting. On some days no eagles were caught, on others, only one or two were caught. 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 - 67.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, share a laugh about whether “Price Is Right” rules should be used for the game they invented on predicting when the next bald eagle would be caught. Lewis and Wheat were using leg snare traps and a net launcher to capture bald eagles on the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve for a bald eagle migration study that Wheat is conducting for her doctoral dissertation. 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. 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 - 69.jpg
  • Avian veterinarian Scott Ford places a salmon carcass as bait in front of a net launcher that will be used to trap bald eagles on the banks of the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines. Ford was assisting Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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. 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 - 1.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left) and Dr. Scott Ford, avian veterinarian, Avian Speciality Veterinary Services of Alaska (right), take blood samples from a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz. Blood samples are taken of the eagles to study for various things including chemical contaminants such as mercury. Rachel Wheat, graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (not pictured) 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 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 - 24.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left) and Dr. Scott Ford, avian veterinarian, Avian Speciality Veterinary Services of Alaska (right) take blood samples from a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz. Watching the procedure is Rachel Wheat, graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. Blood samples are taken of the eagles to study for various things including chemical contaminants such as mercury. 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 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 - 25.jpg
  • This bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) resting along the banks of the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is equipped with a patagial tag (#24), a leg band (4G) and a solar powered GPS tracking satellite transmitter. The transmitter’s antenna can be seen sticking out of the eagle’s feathers to the right of the green patagial tag. The eagle is being tracked by Steve Lewis of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Juneau, Alaska as part of a study examining the effects of nest removal at the Juneau airport (approximately 95 miles away). 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.
    Research bald eagle number 24 restin...jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (center), takes blood samples from a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Assisting Lewis is Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (left) and Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz (right). Blood samples are taken of the eagles to study for various things including chemical contaminants such as mercury. 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.
    Bald eagle migration research - 45.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service takes blood samples from a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Assisting Lewis is Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. Blood samples are taken of the eagles to study for various things including chemical contaminants such as mercury. 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.
    Bald eagle migration research - 46.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (left), seals the rivets of a lightweight harness to which a solar-powered GPS satellite transmitter (also known as a PTT - platform transmitter terminal) is attached to the back of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Assisting Wheat by holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz (right). A handmade leather hood keeps the eagle calm during the procedure. 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 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 - 22.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz counts the primary feathers on a bald eagle’s (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) wing in preparation for clipping a small sample for stable isotope analyses. For consistency, she removed approximately two centimeters from the fourth secondary feather of each eagle's right wing. By counting out the ten primary feathers, she knew where to start counting to access the fourth secondary. 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. Assisting Wheat with the measurements and transmitter installation by holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz. 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 - 23.jpg
  • Dr. Scott Ford, avian veterinarian, Avian Speciality Veterinary Services of Alaska, checks a blood sample taken from a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Ford was assisting, Rachel Wheat, graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz in the processing of eagles she is studying. Blood samples are taken of the eagles to study for various things including chemical contaminants such as mercury. 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 - 27.jpg
  • Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (left), Dr. Taal Levi, wildlife ecologist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies (center) and Dr. Chris Wilmers, associate professor, University of California Santa Cruz (right) hold up the wings of a juvenile bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) so it may be photographed. Photos of a juvenile bald eagle’s mollting, particularly in the head and tail feathers, can help determine its age before it reaches maturity due to the sequential molting pattern eagles experience during the first five years of their life. 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 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 - 30.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, walks on the gravel bar of the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve after placing camouflage on a net launcher that he is using to capture bald eagle. The net launcher, along with leg snare traps, is being used to capture bald eagles that will be used in a study being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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. Pictured in the background is the Tlingit village of Klukwan. 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 - 61.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left), and Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, cross the snow-covered gravel bar of the Chilkat River to remove the traps they had set to catch bald eagles. Each morning under darkness they would set their traps. Then in the late afternoon they would remove them. 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 - 84.jpg
  • Dr. Scott Ford, avian veterinarian, Avian Speciality Veterinary Services of Alaska, comforts a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Ford was assisting Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (back to camera) and Rachel Wheat, graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (not pictured), in the processing of eagles Wheat is studying. 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. Holding the eagle is Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz. Helping with the recording of measurements taken of the bald eagle is Pam Randles, Takshanuk Watershed Council Education Director (left). 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 - 28.jpg
  • Once a bald eagle 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 Yiwei Wang, graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz. The bald eagle that will be part of a migration study of eagles that visit the Chilkat River being conducted by Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz. 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. 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 - 8.jpg
  • Dr. Chris Wilmers, associate professor, University of California Santa Cruz, holds a blood sample taken from a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) captured in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Wilmers was assisting, Rachel Wheat, graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz in the processing of eagles she is studying. Blood samples are taken of the eagles to study for various things including chemical contaminants such as mercury. 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 - 26.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left) explains how he wants to position a juvenile bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) for a photograph that will help determine the age of the bald eagle. Photos of a juvenile bald eagle’s molting, particularly in the head and tail feathers, can help determine its age before it reaches maturity due to the sequential molting pattern eagles experience during the first five years of their life. Rachel Wheat, graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (second from left), 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. Assisting with the holding of the bald eagle is Dr. Taal Levi, wildlife ecologist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies (center) and Dr. Chris Wilmers, associate professor University of California Santa Cruz (right). 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 - 29.jpg
  • Steve Lewis, Raptor Management Coordinator, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (left), and Rachel Wheat, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz, cross the partially frozen Chilkat River to remove the traps they set to catch bald eagles. The countless footsteps in the snow are testament to their pre-sunrise trips onto the gravel bar to set the traps under the cover of darkness and the late afternoon removal of the traps each day. 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 - 72.jpg
  • The Alaska Fisheries Science Center's Auke Bay Laboratories located at Lena Point in Juneau, Alaska conducts scientific research throughout Alaska on fish stocks, fish habitats, and the chemistry of marine environments. This research is used by fishing industries and governmental agencies involved in managing natural resources. The headquarters of the Auke Bay Laboratories is the Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute (TSMRI).
    Alaska Fisheries Science Center Auke...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
  • Student Allison Stuart uses a spotting scope to count bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) along the Chilkat River, near Haines, Alaska. Looking on are fellow students Maggie Martin and Heidi Kattenhorn (right). 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 - 6.jpg
  • Students Maggie Martin (left) and Allison Stuart count bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) along the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, 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 in Haines, Alaska. 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 - 7.jpg
  • Students Heidi Kattenhorn (left), Maggie Martin (second left) and Allison Stuart (far right) along with Pam Randles, Takshanuk Watershed Council Education Director (center), count bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) along the Chilkat River, 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 - 12.jpg
  • Student Heidi Kattenhorn (left) and Pam Randles, Takshanuk Watershed Council Education Director count bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) along the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, 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.eagles in the world.
    Bald eagle count - 17.jpg
  • Students Maggie Martin (left) and Allison Stuart count bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) along the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, 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 - 8.jpg
Next