Alaska Bound – Homer

Birds, Coastal, Mountains, Scenery / By

For many years, I have wanted to travel to Homer, Alaska in March to photograph Bald Eagles. This year, my dream became a reality.

Homer has been, and continues to be known as a destination for Bald Eagle photography. Not only are eagles plentiful in the winter but the scenery is beautiful. Homer is nestled into the southwestern portion of the Kenai Peninsula. Kachemak Bay extends northeast along the east side of Homer. Across the bay are the Kenai Mountains.

View from my hotel room at Land’s End Resort, looking easterly across Kachemak Bay at the Kenai Mountains.

It is hard (ok, impossible) to photograph Bald Eagles in the Midwest with snow-capped mountains in the background.

A Bald Eagle soars above Kachemak Bay with the Kenai Mountains in the background.

An immature Bald Eagle can be mistaken for other raptors due to its lack of a white head and white tail. It will take about 5 years before the head and tail feathers are completely white.

This immature Bald Eagle is approximately 1 ½ years old, judging from the coloration of its plumage.

Bald Eagles can sport a wing-span of 6 ½ feet, grow to 2 ½ – 3 feet tall, and weigh approximately 9 pounds. Yet, for their size, they are quite agile in flight.

Bald Eagles are quite adept at changing direction while in flight.

Eagles have incredible talons for catching and holding onto fish. Their powerful wings allow them to gain altitude once they grasp their prey.

With talons outstretched, this Bald Eagle is ready to pluck a fish off the water as it flies over.
Even with their powerful wings, sometimes it is hard to time the catch and avoid an incoming wave of water. Just a split second after this photo was taken, the eagle was immersed belly-deep in water.

Homer was a great experience. Spending a week photographing eagles was a dream come true. And for the record, it was a full 20 degrees colder in Iowa when I returned than at any time while I was in Homer.

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14 thoughts on “Alaska Bound – Homer”

  4. Carol Gronstal

    There is a song, “April in Fairbanks”
    “April in Fairbanks,
    There’s nothing more appealing,
    You’ll fear your blood congealing,
    In April, in Fairbanks.

    April in Fairbanks,
    The breezy arctic weather
    Will turn your skin to leather,
    In April, in Fairbanks.”

    It goes on and on. Sounds like you got the good stuff in Homer.
    Beautiful photos. Thank you!

    1. Stan Buman

      Carol, I haven’t seen that poem but it sounds about right. Fairbanks is about 500 miles north of Homer. And Homer’s climate is moderated by the ocean.

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