Chilkat Bald Eagle Photography Workshop
Photograph Bald Eagles along Alaska’s Chilkat River with Tom and Cree Bol, combining six days in Haines with field instruction, mountain backdrops and evening image reviews.
About this tour
The Chilkat River gives this workshop its focus: Bald Eagles gathering around a late-autumn salmon run, with snowy mountain scenery behind the river. Based in Haines, the six-day program with Tom and Cree Bol concentrates on photographing these wild birds rather than moving between distant locations. Repeated visits to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve provide time to observe behavior and adjust photographic technique as light and activity change.
Field sessions explore perched birds, passing flights and interactions around salmon. The instructors help participants work with exposure, composition, autofocus and panning, using the larger birds to develop confidence with action photography. The mountain backdrop offers a different kind of image from a close bird portrait, while changing weather and river light make each session distinct. Eagle numbers and behavior remain natural and cannot be guaranteed.
A short drive links the hotel with the preserve. Photography begins after the arrival-day ferry meeting and continues through the intervening days, followed by another morning session before the final ferry departure. Evening reviews introduce image selection and processing in Lightroom and Photoshop, connecting lessons in the field with the finished photograph. A laptop is useful for these sessions, alongside a telephoto lens, tripod and spare camera equipment.
Accommodation is at Captain’s Choice in Haines. The package includes breakfast, deli lunches, the welcome and farewell dinners, instruction, permits and local transfers from the ferry terminal and to the eagle sites. Travelers arrange their own journey to Haines, typically via Juneau and the ferry, and cover other evening meals and travel-related costs.
Expect cold conditions and extended periods standing or sitting outside, potentially up to eight hours, with walks of roughly one to two miles. Ferry timetables determine the final travel arrangements and can affect the dates, so confirm the sailing schedule before buying tickets. Weather disruption can also create additional personal travel costs.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to USA.
Birds you can spot
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival and first eagle session
Meet at the ferry terminal and settle into the hotel. An afternoon photography session introduces the eagle setting before the welcome dinner.
Day 2
Chilkat riverbank photography
After breakfast, travel to the preserve for eagle photography. Lunch is a deli meal during the field day, with an evening return to Haines.
Day 3
Bird behavior and action
Continue photographing the eagle gathering along the river. Work on camera settings and timing as birds feed and interact, followed by evening image review.
Day 4
Flight technique
Spend another day at the preserve, practicing autofocus and panning during passing flights. Review and edit the resulting images during the evening session.
Day 5
Changing light on the river
Return to the same eagle habitat for further practice as light and natural activity change. The final dinner brings the group together before departure day.
Day 6
Morning photography and ferry
Photograph during the morning before returning for the ferry departure. Confirm the operating ferry timetable before finalizing onward travel.
Locations & map
- Haines - Alaska USA
- Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve - Alaska USA
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: 14–19 November 2027
Included
- Hotel accommodation in Haines
- Breakfast and deli lunches
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- Photography instruction and image reviews
- Permits and local eagle-site transfers
- Ferry terminal transfers in Haines
- Tom’s photography ebook
Not included
- Travel to and from Haines
- En-route accommodation, meals and transport
- Other evening meals
- Alcohol and gratuities
Transport & stays
- Local road transfers Transfers connect the Haines ferry terminal, hotel and eagle photography locations.
Accommodations
- Captain’s Choice
Policies & FAQ
When is this workshop scheduled?
14–19 November 2027 Ask through the inquiry form for current availability.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.