I’m down at the low tide at Spanish Banks in Vancouver again. This is all very exciting, chasing eagles around trying to get a good photo, but I never know what I’m going to get. This time I decide not to head out directly to the sand bar where the fish are so plentiful. Rather, I linger in the shallows towards the east.
When I stepped off the beach onto the tidal flats I saw quite a few great blue heron directly before me. I thought a slight detour might be in order; the eagles like to hunt in the same spots as the heron, after all. Like I said, I never know what I’m going to get. I’m watching some heron, just sort of enjoying the warm sun while thinking I should really get moving to the sand bar when a motion to my left catches my attention.
I spin the camera around and snap a shot without even thinking. Imagine my surprise at see what I captured!
Bald Eagle Landing
Excited by my success I push forward. The amazing thing about this place is that I am standing on sand that is normally three meters under water. Usually only the very top of the channel markers are visible, like little mini lighthouses to warn the freighters and other boat traffic in the harbour at English Bay not to come too close. Lucky for me the eagles like to perch on top of these, scanning the water for fish and the sky for competition.
This fellow looks vaguely cross!
Eagle on Post
S/He doesn’t stay long. I also move quickly to the sand bar. The tide doesn’t stay out forever after all, eventually it washes over Spanish Banks, filling the tidal flats. I’ve already had to walk back through water up to my thighs. Slow going when you have to go on for a kilometer or so.
Once at the sand bar I spot a lovely eagle just walking along the sand as nice as can be. Kind of funny when you think about it, we expect them to fly everywhere.
Check out those sharp talons!
Bald Eagle Walking
Eventually there are no more eagles, I guess they all ate their fill and flew back to the trees on shore. Before I head back myself I stop to get a few shots of a great blue heron. In the space of just a few moments this one catches three fish! No wonder there’s so much wildlife activity around here.
Great Blue Heron with Fish
Not easily perturbed, the heron just keeps on going even as a couple of kayakers pass very close by.
Great Blue Heron & Kayakers
Now I really have to go, the water is starting to come in. As I cross the tidal flats, enjoying the view all the way, I spot an eagle flying overhead with several seagulls and crows in pursuit. The eagle has a juicy fish in its claws, which I guess is driving the others crazy.
But it just flies calmly and cooly back to shore, dangling its delicious dinner in the breeze.
Bald Eagle Mountains Background
Bald Eagle Mountains Background II
Passes a bit closer to me . . .
Bald Eagle with Fish
. . .. then flies on by.
Bald Eagle with Fish II
I’m left to walk back to the beach with a smile on my face. I can’t wait to get out for more photos on another day!
