"Eagle Lady" led life of adventure, including stint as a rodeo daredevil

Jean Keene is known around Alaska -- and around the world by many tourists -- for the eagles she feeds at her Homer property. Known better as "The Eagle Lady" than by her real name, her past is even lesser known by visitors.

Keene's life story is the subject of The Eagle Lady, a new book written by Valley journalist Cary Anderson. Her tale is one of adventure, from being a rodeo daredevil to helping care for injured eagles.

Keene, 80, started out riding horses in Minnesota, where she was raised on the farm.

Keene was a trick rider, and her rodeo career was just getting off the ground when she broke her knee in 15 places and was knocked unconscious during an event, ending her career.

She then became a truck driver -- a male-dominated profession -- and then opened a cat and dog grooming business. Ultimately, she ended up in Alaska for good after a vacation here. She wound up in Homer, where she has lived since 1977.

She started feeding eagles after getting a job at Icicle Seafoods, and from there, more and more eagles started coming to her motorhome.

"Eagles made people stand up and pay attention to Jean in Alaska," Anderson explained. "Most people don't even know her name, but they know what she does."

She collects tons of eagle food and makes sure that the eagles always have a meal, especially in the winter months, when food can be hard to come by for the eagles. Her story has been featured in numerous national publications and broadcasts, and now Anderson, a close friend, has released a book detailing not only the eagles, but also Keene's history.

"Through the eagles, I tried to tell Jean's amazing life story," Anderson said.