Friday June 27, 2025
Ketchikan truly is a city of eagles. Everywhere you turn eagles abound. Staying here in the North Harbor the unique cackle and piercing shrill whistles of eagles can be heard in the morning and throughout the day. When I step outside the door several are perched high above in the masts of sailboats or sitting atop a piling patiently waiting for a morsel of fresh fish to be thrown off one of the fishing boats.
We are the lone trawler sitting amongst all the fishing boats. We see them departing daily, some returning at the end of day while others stay out longer.
Thanks to the fishermen of Alaska we have been treated to fresh caught Halibut, King Salmon and Spot Prawns. What a treat. But back to the eagles.
Not too long ago eagles were an endangered species.The Bald Eagle was officially listed as endangered in 1978 under the Endangered Species Act in United States. At that point the population of eagles had dwindled to around 500 breeding pairs, primarily due to hunting and the use of pesticides like DDT. Banning the use of DDT in 1972 had a major impact on their population. In 2007 the Bald Eagle was removed from the list of endangered species at which time there was a population of 10,000 or more breeding pairs which continues to grow. Come to Alaska. I guarantee you will see eagles.
I shared this photo earlier. Here are eagles dive bombing a boat that left fish scraps on board.
Long Live the Bald Eagle. So majestic.