Flight of the Eagle

It began as a short drive to Birch Bay north of Bellingham, Wash.

A bald eagle sits on a sandbar in Birch Bay north of Bellingham, Wash.

My girlfriend Heidi and I went to do some low-tide seashell hunting and walk along the beach. Just enjoy a nice day with her and the sea sans cameras.

So without camera, we trotted off to enjoy the low tide and see what is usually hidden by the sea.

It sits, watching its surroundings.

People were out and about searching for crab, geoduck, playing with their dogs, kayaking, and generally having fun. It looked more like a holiday than a mid-week day.

We walked around a bit searching for shells and I noticed something a bit funny: a bald eagle just sitting on a sandbar about 100 yards away. I watched as it pruned itself.

It notices me as I slowly approach. Being quiet and not making quick moves.

Watching the big bird, I remembered one of my fave quotes: “When you miss a beautiful shot for any reason, you still have a picture for the soul.” Yeah, but this was one photo I didn’t want to get away.

So I ran back to the car to grab my cameras. Grabbed my long lens and headed towards the eagle as it continued to sit and clean itself.

It goes back to preening itself. Beautiful.

At first I thought it just landed for a quick breather. Then I wondered if it was hunting, but eagle hunt from the sky. They seek their prey from on high, then swoop down to catch it. I wondered if it may have been hurt or somehow got oil on its feathers as a BP refinery is close by.

With a strong flap of its massive wings, it takes flight.

But as I walked towards it, I could tell through my camera it was just cleaning. Blue Herons would walk near it, seagulls would fly over it. Nothing fazed it. Not even barking dogs.

I kept shooting. I moved slowly, deliberately and quietly. I stopped 20 yards from it. It noticed me and just watched, ruffled it’s feathers a few times and then took off.