HAINES --- birds, beasts, and a charming town

 

Most of the time we spent in Haines, we were exploring outside of the town...

 

...  watching birds, gazing at scenery, taking a few pictures, fishing a bit,  and watching other wildlife:

  

 

 (Like this guy on the way to his favorite fishing hole.)

But we also really enjoyed the little town.   Here are some of the views of this picturesque  area:

   

 

Like most places in Alaska, Haines is nowhere near a city of any size.  Because of its location and small population, I had expected a tiny village with few amenities.   I was pleasantly surprised.   It actually does not have chain stores and that was OK by us.  It's sweet to see a town that doesn't look like every other place you visit. And besides,  the local merchants offered  everything we needed (good grocery stores and restaurants for us mostly, but there were other stores, none  of which seemed overtly 'touristy'.)  

This bald eagle was fishing near Haines at the same time Bill was.

 

About 3500 Bald Eagles migrate into Haines in late Fall and the town hosts the Chilkat Valley Bald Eagle Festival in November.  (I'd love to be there   --  if only it weren't already so cold by then!)  But we were just happy to see a few of the ones who make their home permanently in the area.  

SHARING WITH:  MOSAIC MONDAY (thanks to Judith, the new host)  OUR WORLD on Tuesday (thank you to the team Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy and Jennifer) and WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY with thanks to Stuart.   

 

 

Comments

[Ramblingwoods]

Wonderful to see the wildlife fishing.....and no big box stores in sight

[Stewart M]

Great images - love that row of Mergansers.

I may have picked it up along the way that you have a fondness for boats!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

[Al]

What an amazing setting they have. But I think the isolation would prevent me from living there.

[Lois]

Amazing shots, especially of the eagle!

[image-in-ing]

I've never had a yen to go to Alaska until recently when I note that everyone who goes there raves about the journey.
Your photos are wonderful!
Please come share here:
http://www.image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2014/09/elodie-farms.html

[Mary Howell Cromer]

Love those Bald Eagles!!!

[Adam Jones]

Wonderful Bald Eagles.

[Christian]

Great shots and awesome animals.

[Gunilla]

Beautiful area! The eagle is very handsome.

[Chris Rohrer]

I love places like that as well. Hope it stays away from the tourism and that the wildlife can roam freely!

[Penny]

Magnificent photos of all, especially the bald eagles. I love to be in towns that haven't been invaded with chain stores. :)

[lindyloumacinitaly]

Just enjoyed a lovely catch up here, stunning photos as always. also thanks so much for your lovely comment recently on my Travel Tales Blog which was so much appreciated.

[orchid]

Wild birds, baer, Bald Eagles and great views; such gorgeous plac with enature,Hainesis♡♡♡ I especially wish to see proud looking Bold Eagle; for me only TV documentary creature p:)
Your paragraph secound from the last made me think back my chldhood days visiting local store with sweet owners. Please take care for the coldness, Sllie.

ps. Now I finally feel secured having extra pc for my husband. Smiled that we share the same scramble for pc, haha.

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

[Reader Wil]

Wonderful places you showed us and great wildlife too. Thank you! Thanks for your comment. Leo Jongenotter is a local artist and therefore we chose him to use our church as his exhibition space. He is not known abroad.
Have a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team

[Gattina]

You even saw a bear ? Must have been very impressive !

[Arija]

I love little, out of the way places that still have real grocery stores. I confess I am an addict to their hardware stores and have found any number of useful items to take home.
So good to see you both enjoying life Sallie. I would have loved to go there and fish too, even with a bear or two.

[DeniseinVA]

How absolutely fantastic to see the wildlife that you have seen on your trip. Your photos have been an absolute joy, thanks Sallie!

[Aimee]

LOVE that bear and the bald eagle! And the scenery? Wow! Incredible.
Blessings, Aimee

[Sondra-SC]

Gorgeous Eagle shots!! AND the bear is a plus too---Haines sounds like a great town!!

[Linda]

Wow that was stunning! To see a Bald Eagle up close and personnel is dynamite!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

[Mick]

Great photos and the mountains are magnificent. The eagles are too and it is wonderful to see them so close.

[sylviakirk]

Such terrific captures, Sallie!! I love the eagles and the bear! What a great trip you guys are having!! Thanks so much for sharing the fun and the beauty!!

Sylvia

[Gail]

Oh, wow, the eagle shots are awesome! You've seen more wildlife on your Alaska trip than I've seen in my entire life. Amazing. The city collage is very well done.

[Donna@Gardens Eye View]

A beautiful wild area with so much beauty...great mosaic of the bald eagle.

[Riet]

What a beautiful country that is. It sounds so natural and friendly to me.
Have a nice week

[Mary]

Wonderful shots! A gorgeous area!

[Carver]

Looks like a fantastic place to visit. I am impressed with your wildlife photography.

[Photo Cache]

wow that's a nice place to spend a few days and just be with nature.

[Lady Fi]

Wonderful shots. I'd love to see bald eagles that close up.

[Marie]

What a wonderful little town! This would be a dream place to live...no chain stores, no touristy shops, just a sweet little town. And near are the bear and bald eagles and other wonderful wildlife. I bet everyone knows everyone else. Ahhhhhh.....

[Dianne]

Wonderful to know that some places remain unspoiled. Our neighbor just returned from an Alaska cruise. He's an older fellow and still makes the trek north. He's the guy I mentioned who had " climbed " Nanatuk.

[Green Tomato]

This post is full of interesting and fantastic photos. The bald eagle is capturing my eyes. They are so beautiful in their colors of black and white
and its yellow beak.

[Jenn Jilks]

My late ex-husband was born in Haines Junction, Yukon. They had few photos. His father was the RCMP. It's quite the place, the north.

[Eileen]

Sallie, the town of Haines sounds wonderful.. I do not like the big cities or the real touristy places..The wildlife is awesome, I love the bear and eagles.. Great post, thanks for sharing. Have a happy new week!

[Snap]

Sallie -- Haines look marvelous! And the amazing wildlife. Wow! Good for you! Happy Mosaic Monday!

[diane]

You are seeing some amazing wildlife. It sounds a nice town. Your vacation seems to be going forever. So much to see and do. Lucky You.

[hazel]

Fantastic and a glorious area-an ideal spot to get "the feel" of Alaska!
I wondered if you are still in BC sallie????

[Hildred Finch]

Wonderful to see these pictures of Haines, Sallie and glad to know you made it across the border! I rather expected you would make your crossing to the west of us...... Enjoy the autumn beauty there in Oregon - what a lot of great memories you have accumulated over the summer!

[Lavender Cottage]

I wish we had of seen more of the Alaska mainland when we were there for our cruise.
It is exhilarating to know there are still some towns without chain stores, allowing for shopkeepers to make a living without that kind of competition.
Thank you for linking to Mosaic Monday and sharing Alaska.

[Rainfield M Penang]

Bald Eagles migrate into Haines in late Fall.

Do you?

[Jen]

I would happily brave the cold to attend that festival. So many bird festivals, so little time...and money...

[TexWisGirl]

it looks and sounds beautiful! yeah, except for maybe that cold thing... :)