Tag / BALD EAGLE

We have Bald Eagles all across our provinces but these photos were taken in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island.  This is one of my favourite places to visit.  It is home to the Wild Pacific Trail, Broken Group Islands, whale festival in March, situated next to the Pacific Rim National Park (Tofino half an hour north) and wildlife abounds.  I would highly recommend a visit here if given the chance. When we were out whale watching we saw a “flock” of bald eagles out on the ocean diving into the water eating the same roe that the whales were feeding on. Unfortunately, we were in very rough waters at the time and  it was raining  hard as we passed by so I could not get photos of that.

We couldn’t get closer to this nesting pair because of the rough surf that day.  An enormous tree with a huge eagle nest at the top.  I wonder how they withstand all the weather and winds being so out in the open.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

** New photos gallery has been updated. . .

It started with a plane ride arranged through Shaun Jackson of Adventure Air over the boreal forrests of north eastern Manitoba and into the Atikaki Wilderness Provincial Park to Wapeskapek Lake on the Gammon River.  Our own private island cabin (Jackson’s Lodge Wapeskapek Outpost) was home for the next three days. Everything about this trip was awesome! Hot weather, an evening thunderstorm, great pickerel (walleye) fishing, wildlife sightings and terrific accomodations with everything we required and more.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well-equipped the “outpost” was – hot/cold running water, indoor shower, a great variety of cooking utensils and dishes, propane fridge, stove with oven and a freezer.  My son and fiance sighted a moose and calf swimming in the river, we had river otters hanging out at our boat dock, a clear view of nesting bald eagles with one chick right at the water’s edge, a variety of beautiful forrest song birds and even garter snakes basking on the heated bedrock.  The rasperries and blueberries were just beginning to ripen and they were abundant so the next groups in will have plenty to pick and enjoy.

Bald Eagle with Pickerel ( Walleye )

Fishing was excellent and as much as I enjoyed the fishing I have to say I equally enjoyed taking photos of the Bald Eagles, Otters , songbirds and scenery.  It truly is wilderness and it was a most exciting trip. Warning! Warning!  Bring lots of bug spray – that was the only drawback of being in the back country and the black flies are relentless.

River Otter enjoying fish remains

Gammon River Rapids enterting Wapeskapek Lake

We saw a few groups of wilderness canoe enthusiasts camped on the mossy bedrock and paddling downstream on the Gammon River.   We weren’t sure where they started off from but that would be a really exciting canoe trip for the more experienced paddlers.  Adventure Air may fly groups in and drop them off – not sure but one could enquire about this.

Canadian Shield rock cliffs lined the river in many places. The scenery all along the river was truly beautiful.

Canadian Shield Bedrock on Gammon River

Below:  The view from our cabin – now that’s a view one could use more often!

Room with a view! Wapeskapek Lake Outpost.

From the air we could see this group of wilderness canoe enthusiasts.

Heavy rains have made the rivers creep up onto the land.

High waters on Gammon River

Lastly – our island getaway.  Thanks Shaun Jackson for a very memorable wilderness experience!

Wapeskapek Lake Outpost

Enjoy!

Sharon

Bald Eagles are both predators and scavengers.  They can be seen soaring high in the sky riding the air currents, by roadways dining on roadkill or perched up high on a tree or pole keeping watch on their hunting grounds.  I have observed them raiding a goose nest, picking a fish out of a lake, locking talons in mid-flight and then twirling together in the sky.  With eyesight second to none and the ability to dive from the skies upon their prey they are truly amazing birds of prey.  The mature eagles display their unmistakable white heads and tails while the young keep their mottled brown plumage until their third year.  It’s always a thrill to see a Bald Eagle in the wild.  Webcams such as the one on Vancouver Island a few years ago make it possible for people around the world to watch the nesting and habits of these beautiful birds.

Below:  Immature Bald Eagles – likely second year as the white plumage is beginning to show.

Enjoy!

~Sharon