Never pass up the chance to get a shot of of a bald eagle. On this day, I didn't have my big camera, just the smaller version. But it was well worth the time to get as close as I dared. He was not all that concerned. I just kept thinking: look at those talons. He looked like he had seen a few seasons.
Eagles pair for life and on Vancouver Island seem to have a long life span, sometimes lasting about 20 years. In some habitats only 10% of the chicks reach maturity. But here they have a 60% chance.
Who could pass up the moment to see this big eagle cruise its way down to the rocks. To sit and fish. Or Fish and sit.Nesting time is between Feb and end of June. Two or three chicks being raised at a time. Over twenty years that would mean a lot of babies to learn to sit and fish with.
Or to look. At me. Looking at him. We stared at each other. He got bored.
Most trees on the east coast of Vancouver Island are perfect for eagle's nests. 81% are over 150 years old, usually found about 1 kilometre from the shoreline.
Bald Eagles really love their territory and need about 1000 metres between nests. You can see them perched in between the spiny growth of old trees. Sometimes, if you stand still you can hear the babies. You can definitely hear the parents calling to each other.
In the Strait of Georgia, landowners who have eagle nests on their property have to show how they plan protecting the tree sites.
Waterfront is prime and their nests cannot be demolished.
And for a little while, the other day, I was glad to sit on the rocks and watch him sit and watch me. Ever so often he would call to his mate. Telling her amazing stories about how he was going to bring home dinner. Just after he had a snooze on the rocks . With the waves lapping beside him. I don't think his mate believed he was shopping for dinner at all. She called back to him once or twice. Probably asking him to stop dawdling. To stop snoozing by the sea.
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