Sitka Harbor is alive with fishing boats in many shapes and sizes, but there are also pleasure craft

An early morning trip into the bay reveals many islands covered with trees in the dramatic sunrise

Other mornings the low hanging clouds provide a dramatic backdrop

There are many varieties of ducks. These are lesser scaup taking flight

Fish are plentiful especially during the herring spawn and the sea gulls are quick to take advantage

Steller sea lions are also plentiful and currious

California sea lions are a new arrival to the area

After eating their fill they sometimes over heat and use cool air to dissipate some of the heat (looks more like sunbathing to me).

Harbor seals are also easily found around Sitka

Humpback whales are one of the main things to look for as they too feed on the herring when the spawn is on. Each has a unique pattern of coloration on it's tail

Bald eagles are magnificent as they swoop down to grab fish

They gather in rather large groups to feed on the spawning herring

There are so many herring that some eagles simply sit on the shoreline and grab fish without flying up

It is difficult to imagine the numbers of eagles. Many line the rocks, but look closely at the trees in the background

I count twenty-six eagles sitting on this rock

But each of those white dots in the trees is another one and this is just a small view of the shoreline

They don't look so small when you get up close and notice the talons

Nonetheless they soar magnificently over the mountains

They seem to have little trouble plucking the fish from the water