Where eagles dare

Eric Esterle talks about the respect every photographer should have for wildlife and how he photographed bald eagles in Alaska

- ​​Eric Esterle

I have travelled to each of the seven continents in search of wild places to connect with nature. While I love to photograph wildlife, my main goal is to observe. Only when I feel a species is comfortable and has accepted my presence will I take photos. Photography should always come second; a healthy respect for wildlife derives an inclusion that no super-telephoto lens can bridge.

Alaska is a special place to me. Each year I travel to the glacially fed Chilkat River, which is unique due to the geothermal upwellings that keep it from freezing until later in the season. As a result, this area hosts late salmon runs, which attract large congregations of bald eagles. Numbers vary from year to year, but can exceed 3500 birds. The bald eagles fly against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, producing endless opportunities to capture stunning photographs. However, there are plenty of challenges to think about.