The Silence in Skagit: A Winter Without Eagles

Spotted two eagles during our time by the Skagit River.

We live near the Skagit River, right in the Puget Sound.

The drive to the Skagit River in winter is something out of a dream—fog rolling over the rolling water, bare trees reaching toward the sky, signaling the promise of something wild waiting around the next bend. On a clear day like the one we drove, there are peaks of Baker that take our breath away even after seeing it so many times. How can a mountain be so magical?

I had heard the stories: hundreds of bald eagles gathering along the riverbanks, feasting on the remains of salmon runs. A photographer’s paradise.

In my mind’s eye I was seeing numerous eagles on tree tops surrounding the Skagit River. I was going to try and find the best juveniles to focus on if there were too many adults, as they almost always promise some action and menace - whether going after their siblings or the food another bird thought to have secured.

But when we arrived, our only surprise was the silence. Where are the eagles?

We scanned the sky, the trees, the shore. Nothing. The river felt sad, almost lifeless. Then, after what felt like hours, we saw them—two eagles. One perched high on a snag, the other circling lazily overhead. It was exciting, but it wasn’t the Skagit spectacle I had imagined.

A couple of locals standing by were saying they’re used to seeing more eagles in this season - they had a couple of more in the morning, and a few others the days before, but they couldn’t find what they were looking for and now they were gone.

We drove further North, spotted a few more eagles, we always pull over for them, get their photos even if there are only a few. But imagine if we could see these trees overtaken by eagles like we do up in Canada?

Was it timing? A slow season? A sign of something bigger? Whatever the reason, I left with a quiet sadness. Sometimes, nature doesn’t deliver the grand performance we expect. Sometimes, it just whispers.

Have you noticed fewer eagles in your area? Let’s talk about it in the comments!