Rare Green Flash at Sunset

This is an actual “Green Flash”.
For those of you that have never heard of this,check out this http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/GF/observing/advice.html
They occur more often in the winter. You need a cold layer,an inversion. The sun is way below the TRUE horizon by the time you see this green flash.
The best way to see these is with a pair of binoculars ,up on a Headland(above the water,the higher the better) & obviously at the ocean. You need a clear horizon to the west. No
clouds!
If your going to be brave & try to shoot this,you’ll need as big as lens as you can get. Something in the order of at least a 400mm. I have a 1200mm that I use sparingly,because it’s awkward . A really good tripod. That means steady. Not some little plastic tripod you picked up at the corner store.If you bring something comfortable to lay on ,you could use a rock as a table. Just bring something soft(your jacket?) to place on the rock so your camera doesn’t get all scratched up
Oh,that little black dot …………thats Frank. One of the eagles from Frank Island
I guess he just had to be in the shot. He’s such a ham!

Lennard Island Lighthouse Sunset Storm

I always like to use the Lighthouse as a background for my ocean shots. Probably too much.
I often play my “Spider/Fly” method of shooting here. It’s real simple.I just go there & wait for some prey to come along. By prey ,I mean of course a boat or a plane/helicopter,Tallship etc.
On this particular shot…………a wave. Ya I know not that interesting,but it can be if it’s big enough.

Sun Eagle

I have no idea why the sun appears squished in this shot?
I think the sun back lights the subject well!

Baldie Attempting to Snag Supper

This is another classic pose for eagles. I call it the “Vampire”pose.
When they attack & hit their prey,they need a really big stroke of their wings to get back up. This covers their face.
Thus ,like Dracula’s cloak.The Vampire pose.

“Juliette” on the Deadman Island Nest

This is “Juliette” at Deadman’s nest. As you can tell by the colour of the light,it’s sunset.
I like shooting here because it’s open to the west & I can get lots of warm light on these guys(Romeo too) Plus theres an added bonus. Because they have become use to marine traffic(the channel/marine highway goes right in front of their nest) they are not as skittish as other eagles. In other words,you can get closer & not disturb them . They’ll let you know when your too close. They just take off. Thats when I back off.

“Romeo” Coming In

Romeo and the Daredevil are probably the best I’ve seen at getting fish.
After grabbing this fish,Romeo went up to his nest. Followed by Juliette. She must of been hungry & wanted a piece right now. They had a loud discussion about it & Romeo backed off.Such a gentleman I thought.
Remember that the female is larger in this species. The female is on average 25% larger !! They almost never fight. She just yelled loudly at him and poor old Romeo hopped out of the nest onto a limb.
I tried to get some shots of the argument,but my boat had drifted and a limb was in the way.

Moe On The Hunt

This is another Vampire pose ,but at a distance. They just never pose where you want them!

The Happy couple

This is Juliette & Romeo perched on their nest tree. They live in between Tofnio & Opitsat on Deadman Island.
When I come across a new eagle,the only way I can tell if it’s a male or female is when they are together.
The female is on the left. You can see how much larger she is.( > 25-33 %)

“Freckles”

I like this eagle. He still has some of his juvenile colours. They get their full plumage around 4 1/2 to 5 years of age.
Given that,I’d say this guy is about 4 years old or so.

“Freckles” On The Hunt

Freckles is going to do well in life. He is very strong for a young eagle and smart.

Immature Baldy

Not sure who this is,but I think he’s part of the Mona’s Island gang.
As they age ,the eagle begins to get their true colours.
Have a look at “Freckles” below. He’s about 4 years old. You can estimate their age when they are immature by the degree of colouring in their plumage.
This guy is 1 year old.

“Freckles” Turning

I caught Freckles turning. I always watch for this maneuver and take advantage of it.

Coast Guard Heading Out

This large Coast Guard vessel provided a nice subject at sunset. I waited to get some wave action in the foreground before I took the shot.

Coast Guard Ship and A Small Fishing Boat

I saw this small fishing boat coming into Tofino from the south and waited for him to line up with the Coast Guard vessel.
It’s all about being at the right spot,at the right time!
With It happening at sunset is simply icing to my cake!

The Coast Guard Ship “Provo Wallis” in Front of Lennard Island Lighthouse

I’ve been trying to get this shot for years! I wanted the Coast Guard vessel right in front of the Lighthouse. The light is not what I would of liked,but hey………you takes what yer given…right!
It would of been better if it was sunrise. The light would of been behind me and directly right on the Vessel/Lighthouse. (for those not familiar with this area,I am looking to the West in this shot)

Green Flash!

This shot was cropped so much that you can see the noise in the shot. I wasn’t fully extended with my focal length and had to pay for it.
You need clean,cold air. The best opportunity’s are during winter.
Not only do you get more cold layer opportunity’s at the oceans edge during winters,but also cleaner air.When it rains ,all the droplets absorb all those dust particles you see floating around and clean the air. The best viewing is after a Arctic front has passed over. Go out to the headlands at sunset, using a pair of binoculars. Your probably going to see one.
The rain in the winter acts like Mother Natures Swiffer! and believe me ,Tofino gets alot of Swiffering !!
Good Luck and happy Flashing !!

Almond Islet Eagle with Snow Topped Mountain

This location is down Tofino Inlet. It’s on a small islet called Almond Islet.
I do not know this eagle,but visit him on occasion. He’s further down the Inlet,so do not normally go pass Tsapee Narrows. Shear logistics really. It’s a ways.
I liked the snow on the mountains and lined myself up with him in the foreground.

Sandpipers/Dunlin’s Migrating Through Tofino

I came across these darling little subjects down Tofino Inlet right by Almond Islet. I couldn’t resist. The wind was gently blowing from the West,so I just went up wind and shut the motor off, and drifted into them. I got very close and they didn’t mind at all.

Sandpiper and Dunlin’s

I loved seeing these guys up close. The light was almost horizontal and very warm .

Trumpeters in Flight

I caught these guys down at the end of Grice bay. Alot of birds like to go here,because of the fresh water source and the fact that nobody ever goes down there.
Except little old me of course!

Surf Kayakers at Chesterman Beach

These guys were nice enough to pose for me and I sent them a few shots .
Once again ,I am always mindful of the Background and used the Wick. as wallpaper here.

Eagle With Strathcona’s Mountains

This is Maggie. She is constantly missing fish. I just don’t know why.
Maybe she injured her Talons when she was younger and just does not have the grip she should have?
Maggie is Moe’s partner and they have a perch tree on the NE side of Nielson Island. It’s always in the dark there and I think they do this on purpose! That way they can ambush from the dark. the Tsapee narrows couple do the same thing!

Who R U?

They often strain their neck to look at their prey.