field notes from 02/08/23

Kachemak Bay estuary

· Kachemak Bay, Alaska · Cool, 56°F, low ceiling, flat water · Fujifilm X-T5, 150-600mm

Drove down to Homer the day before and took the water taxi over to Tutka Bay. The upper estuary at low tide is great for Bald Eagles working salmon runs, and in early August the pink salmon are running. A Brown Bear sow with two cubs walked the far side of the river for about forty-five minutes — well away and I was with a guide.

I keep thinking I will tire of shooting bald eagles. So far I have not.

Bald eagle with salmon
Adult with a pink salmon. Bald Eagle 300mm, 1/1000s, f/7.1, ISO 640
Bald eagle in flight
Low pass along the river bar. Bald Eagle 450mm, 1/1600s, f/7.1, ISO 400
Brown bear sow with two cubs at river
Across the river. Cubs small and dark. Brown Bear 500mm, 1/1600s, f/6.3, ISO 400
Sandhill crane family in meadow
Pair with colt in a sedge meadow. Sandhill Crane 300mm, 1/1000s, f/6.3, ISO 640
Common loon on still water
On the bay, plus chick. Common Loon 500mm, 1/1250s, f/8, ISO 800
Pigeon guillemot on water
Red feet up briefly. Pigeon Guillemot 250mm, 1/1250s, f/5.6, ISO 400
Marbled murrelet on water
Unusual close-in look. Marbled Murrelet 350mm, 1/2000s, f/7.1, ISO 640
Wide view of estuary at low tide
The bay. Low tide, grey-green water. Kachemak bay 23mm, 1/125s, f/8, ISO 400
Sea otter on back
Back-floating in the bay. Sea Otter 300mm, 1/1600s, f/7.1, ISO 400
Pink salmon in shallow water
In the shallow creek, fighting upstream. Pink salmon 23mm, 1/320s, f/5.6, ISO 400
Kittiwake on rocks
Over the tide pool flats. Black-legged Kittiwake 300mm, 1/1250s, f/7.1, ISO 1250