How to catch a Alaskan Bald Eagle by Tani Church Bell
One beautiful summer’s day we went to Oliver’s Inlet, a very narrow, shallow entry into a beautiful bay that at low tide turns into a lake. We anchored up and put sleeping bags on the bow so we could watch the incredible scenery, and enjoy the rare appearance of the sun.
	Out of no where, we heard “Hello, how are you doing today” which was a little disconcerting seeing as we were on a boat in the middle of the bay. I don’t know how he did it, but a forest ranger managed to land his float plane and cruise right up to our bow, standing on the pontoon of his plane, holding onto the Tenakee Gal’s rail. He asked if we were hunting, and had seen any hunters. Apparently there had been some bear poachers in the area. We chatted a while and he flew off to go sneak up on some other unsuspecting souls.
Right after the Forest Service Agent left, off in the distance I saw splashing. I decided to go investigate so I grabbed my camera, jumped into my trusty Aquapro and raced off. When I got close, I realized it was an eagle! I couldn’t believe my eyes! I raced upon the shore in my trusty steed, pulling the engine up in record time, jumped out and ran over to the eagle and started shooting.
	It didn’t seem to be too afraid of me, it was moving rather slowly, we shared many quiet, starring moments. He spread his wings for a while, enjoying the warm sun, and then moved on after giving me a piercing stair.
The eagle sat on the log for a while, my heart was racing! I couldn’t believe I was so close to this magnificent bird, getting photographs. As the eagle moved around slowly, I began to think it wasn’t just because of the wetness that he was not fleeing away from me. He must have been injured, and I was going to save him! Easier said than done.
	I went back to inform my husband, Bryan, of my discovery. We tried to radio the forest service agent, with out any luck. Next we tried the raptor center and they said there was no way they could get out to Oliver’s Inlet that we would have to capture the eagle and bring it to them.
“They are insane!” was my first though. I have heard about all the stories of those poor innocent Chihuahua’s and other creatures that were stolen away from the earth in the talons of the mighty bird!
	So, we did as they said. We geared Bryan up in all the gloves, jackets & hat’s we could find, emptied our cooler, grabbed a blanket and we were on our way to rescue this predator. Bryan approached slowly, and had to follow the eagle around the woods for a short time before it was cornered, and he tossed the blanked on him.
After the talons were secure under the blanket I got real close and took an amazing picture. I will never forget the honesty and depth of its eyes. It was as if he was reading my soul. We got him in the cooler, and back to the boat, and only had a short time to get out of the pass before low tide.
	He was very quiet and peaceful on the trip back; we on the other hand were on an incredible adrenalin rush from what we just did. The Raptor Center people met us at the dock, and took him away from us.
They said we could name since we caught him, so he was named “Oliver”. After they left, we went up to the Hanger on the Wharf for a drink and someone said “That was a very big fish, what was it?” We just smiled and grinned at each other. What a day.