Nearly 4000 eagles suddenly appear along the river in the final few weeks of October. They feast on a late run of chum salmon and remain in this area into December, sometimes as late as February. Bill Zack, a ranger for Alaska State Parks, has been working this area for the last 18 years. It's kind of amazing that they all find this good feed here. I stand and watch a mature eagle pick away at a carcass while magpies stand close, hoping to grab a scrap.
Eagles are hunters as well as scavengers.
More than 200 years ago this bird of prey became the symbol of a new nation, despite the efforts of Ben Franklin. He does not get his living honestly. I'm thinking he wasn't far from the truth as I watch an immature eagle fly in and displace another, snatching away the piece of salmon. One of the birds was feeding on chum salmon and another bird came down to displace it. It took off with the chum and they collided and met like gladiators over the water and one fell into the drink and had to swim to shore.