Bald Eagle Photo Shoot

May Day - morning - not dressed.

Bethany and Kevin (sister and brother-in-law) stop by with a May Day basket of Lilly of the Valley (my birth month flower and a favorite). Bethany has been bringing me May Day baskets since we have lived close enough for her to deliver in person - one of my favorite days each year.

We were on the deck and an eagle flew by and caught our attention. We have eagles around just about every day but I can never resist watching them. On this day there were 3; two immature and one mature eagle coming and going and flying in circles. There seemed to be a lot of discussion over who could sit on the pilings in front of our house. While watching I kept thinking I should get my camera but it was in the car and I knew I would need to change lenses and it is always that internal discussion of just relaxing and enjoying the show or running for the camera knowing that the show may be over by the time I get back.

Bethany and Kevin were leaving and I decided to grab the camera. In bear feet and my morning attire of a nightshirt and fleece jacket, I went to the car, got my camera, changed lenses, found some shoes and looked over the bank to see if the eagles were still there. Unfortunately only one immature was sitting on the pilings.

Then the mature returned and took over the coveted spot and the two immatures circled and chased out over the water with one crashing into the water for a quick moment and then flying off. I got so involved in the show again that I didn't take pictures but when it was all over the mature eagle was still on his piling.

I took a couple pictures then got into the tram (elevator to the beach). I thought that starting the tram would scare off the eagle (it has before) but he/she sat tight. I went part way down - stopped and took a few more pictures. Moved down a little more - more pictures. It's about a 100' bank and with no stops the tram takes about 2 minutes 40 seconds. I finally got to the bottom and kept taking pictures as I walked toward the edge of the bulkhead. The eagle had "won" the piling and wasn't going to be chased off by a photo snapping human. I got to the front edge of the old boathouse that belongs to the old pier which is now remembered only by the pilings, one occupied by the eagle. I kept taking pictures and started to hope it would fly off since my arm was now tired. I stepped totally into the open and the eagle took flight and headed for a nearby cedar.

Yikes, I was late for work so headed back up; took a shower, headed to the office and had to wait until later to see what my shoot had produced. I wasn't disappointed, I have several "classic" poses of a beautiful mature Bald Eagle. Many more on KitsapImages.com!