The GPDN Channel's Archive of Nature Series airs a film produced by North American nature and wildlife photographer Charles St. Charles: " Bald Eagles and Salmon: Interdependent Communities in Winter." Through his lens, viewers will witness the spectacular migration of bald eagles in Alaska.

 

Each year in November and December, the world's largest bald eagle migration occurs near Haines, Alaska, along the Chilkat River. This area serves not only as a gathering spot for bald eagles but also as the endpoint for late-season salmon migrations.

 

The Chilkat River remains ice-free due to the inflow of warm underground springs, providing an ideal habitat for migrating eagles and salmon. Thousands of bald eagles congregate here to feast on dying salmon, creating a breathtaking spectacle. St. Charles captured these awe-inspiring scenes firsthand, recounting a story of a young eagle battling another for a salmon, only to have the meal ultimately snatched away by an adult eagle.

 

St. Charles reminisces about his first close encounter with bald eagles in the wild in his twenties. At that time, thanks to the ban on DDT and ongoing conservation efforts, the bald eagle population had rebounded significantly, eventually being removed from the endangered species list. Today, he enjoys watching bald eagles soar above his home and observing them cohabitate in nearby beaver meadows.

 

St. Charles emphasizes that humans have never truly been disconnected from nature; every breath we take is a connection to it. He encourages everyone to become more aware of this reality, to cherish and protect our natural environment. The recovery of the bald eagle is a vivid testament to humanity's ability to change and help nature thrive again.