It's funny how things happen, when I go out with the camera I never know what I am going to find. I spent the day out at the sand bar, favourite hunting territory for the bald eagles (and heron, and seals) but don't see any. I guess there are too many people about.
As I pass the lifeguard on the way back to shore he strikes up a conversation, asking what I'm doing with the camera. When I tell him, he lets me know that there is a bald eagles' nest by the baseball field at Locarno Park (between the Jericho Youth Hostel and the Jericho Sailing Centre). Very exciting news! After a while I thank him for the tip and start back to the beach.
I'm walking along the shore line of the low tide at Spanish Banks in English Bay in Vancouver, passing people enjoying the great weather. I keep scanning the sky for eagles; I just never know what I am going to see. But I don't have much hope, and am completely unprepared, with the camera off, the lens cap on, and put away in its bag.
About half way back to shore I see an eagle coming in, it's going to fly right over my head! Like a sniper I have the camera out, cap off, charged and ready in a matter of seconds. Just in time to capture images of the eagle flying directly overhead.
(Click Images to Enlarge)
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Wow cool, s/he's looking right at me. But it doesn't just fly over, it circles around. Then around once more. I'm just madly snapping photos - some of them are at odd backwards angles - while it goes around me a couple of times. |
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It's looking in my direction again, something interesting must be going on right where I am standing. |
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At this point I get kind of breathless for a second, because - seriously - look how close it is! |
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This is getting very odd, it keeps circling around and around over me, and again its looking at me. Usually the eagles barely notice humans, just tolerate our presence and maybe moving off a bit if someone gets too close (or if a dog comes running up, which I find more annoying than I can describe). |
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I have to change film, literally praying to God that it doesn't fly away while I have the camera open. I take a split second to glance at the ground at my feet; perhaps there is a fish or other food that this eagle dropped on an earlier pass? I don't see anything but don't really care either, not wanting to miss this fantastic opportunity.
Then, it starts calling while circling me. It is definitely trying to chase me off. |
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Usually I can't tell them apart, but this particular eagle I know I have in other photos because it has a band and a missing feather in its right wing.
Still circling, how long has it been? It feels like many long moments. |
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Finally it gets fed up with me and heads back to shore. |
| I look back the people on the water, several of whom were watching in wonder but have now returned to their play, then do a little celebration dance. A couple walking out from shore towards me witnessed the whole thing and stop for a moment to marvel with me.
Extremely satisfied, I turn the camera off, put the cap on and close it back into its bag. I've walked about 10 meters, all buzzed and happy, when I see the eagle get up out of its tree and fly back to that spot! Argh, mad flurry to whip the camera out once more.
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I get a good shot of it with a fish (there must have been one where I was standing before). |
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Then it passes by me so close I miss half of it in the frame. I probably shouldn't share this photo but - oh man! - wouldn't you?!
I am so greatly encouraged by this experience that I vow to return whenever the tide is low. Plus now I know where an actual bald eagles' nest is, which should offer me lot of great photo opportunities as well!
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