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Month: January 2011
Bert or Ethel?
The rain stopped today and it was suppose to be sunny with cloud. However the storm system was moving slower than what they guessed ! Which means the clearing will start to go over Tofino way after sunset!
Tomorrow should be good for light.
I went out to the beach for the afternoon and while I was riding out and saw either Bert or Ethel on top of Strawberry Island. I like this angle and have been shooting it for many years. It really projects the eagles against a fantastic wallpaper!
I love this backdrop and cannot use it enough!
Those mountains are at least 20 miles away in Strathcona Park!
Tomorrow should be good for light.
I went out to the beach for the afternoon and while I was riding out and saw either Bert or Ethel on top of Strawberry Island. I like this angle and have been shooting it for many years. It really projects the eagles against a fantastic wallpaper!
I love this backdrop and cannot use it enough!
Those mountains are at least 20 miles away in Strathcona Park!
Paddle Boarder
The board they use is large and they also use a long paddle. Kind of like stand up canoeing ,but the canoe has been flattened!
Wave Rider
I spotted three Wave Riders out in the surf. The sun came through for 15 minutes . The clouds had a thin clearing and I decided to take advantage of it.
I walked down to the surf line and took some shots of these three Wave Riders.
Splish Splash
I saw this Wave Rider do a unintended Eskimo Roll in the surf. She did a good lob of recovery.
She was cutting across the front and getting a face full of surf!
She was cutting across the front and getting a face full of surf!
Digging In
I noticed something about these two woman. When I zoomed in on them,they both had the biggest smiles on!
I’ve found that when people are intensely into their own personal zone,they are always smiling!
It’s not for anybody else to see but simply an expression of how they feel!
Feeling the energy of Nature is a very powerful force and affects everybody in the same way!
Each person has a unique way of expressing themselves!
I’ve found that when people are intensely into their own personal zone,they are always smiling!
It’s not for anybody else to see but simply an expression of how they feel!
Feeling the energy of Nature is a very powerful force and affects everybody in the same way!
Each person has a unique way of expressing themselves!
Heading In
I took three shots of her carrying her Rider back in.
One, every time the Lighthouse tower flashed. It’s roughly 11 secs or so.
One, every time the Lighthouse tower flashed. It’s roughly 11 secs or so.
Hula Hooping
This young lady was having fun with her Hula Hoop on the beach.
I’ve never been able to even use it properly ! We all have our own talents!
I’ve never been able to even use it properly ! We all have our own talents!
Sunset Ride
This was the last shot of the night.
I saw two people riding down from the north and waited for them to get to this spot. I not only liked the small island in the midground,but also the clearing in the clouds in behind!
I think this is the largest clearing I saw today.
Frank and Frieda
Frieda was drying her wings while Frank was doing his thing. He had just finished catching a fish and ate his fill . They usually leave some for their mate to eat. Eagles work together as a team. Consider them a small gang!
Frank was wiping his beak off. They always clean themselves up after eating.
A Eagles nest has it’s own eco-system.
They even have grass growing around the edge! All of that food they bring up produces it’s own soil after a few years of constant use. Kind of like having your own compost built into your nest. They throw bones,feathers etc over the edge ,but not all of it gets ejected. I’ve heard of nests weighting several tons! I’ve seen one that had to be 12 feet across and 3 feet deep!
They all eventually come down and the rebuilding starts again!
Frank was wiping his beak off. They always clean themselves up after eating.
A Eagles nest has it’s own eco-system.
They even have grass growing around the edge! All of that food they bring up produces it’s own soil after a few years of constant use. Kind of like having your own compost built into your nest. They throw bones,feathers etc over the edge ,but not all of it gets ejected. I’ve heard of nests weighting several tons! I’ve seen one that had to be 12 feet across and 3 feet deep!
They all eventually come down and the rebuilding starts again!
Beach Walks
Because the rain let up,many people were taking advantage of it and walking along the beach.
I did a few more shots at the beach and headed back into town. I decided to go out in the boat after all. Glad I did! I needed that. I go into withdrawal if I don’t get out!
Wave Watching
This is Sunset Point . You can see somebody sitting down up in the top left. They looked like they were just taking it all in.
Waves are constantly hitting this point and the explosions can be very large!
You can also see “Long Beach Lodge Resort” in the background.
Waves are constantly hitting this point and the explosions can be very large!
You can also see “Long Beach Lodge Resort” in the background.
Beach Run
Many people run on the beach. They drive their cars to the beach and than go for a run. They would get more exercise if they rode a bike there and then go for a run,but thats just me. I’m biasis because I get around by using my bike.
Tofino is such a small town that a bike is perfect to get around on. We have a great bike path too, but almost everyone uses their cars.
Go figure…..
Juliette Comes In
I got out in the boat much later than what I normally would. I just stayed around the harbour area. I didn’t go on my normal route.
I figured 10% of something is better than 100% of nothing!
In other words,acouple of hours out in the boat was worth alot to me. I love getting out and if I do not get out,I soon become ” a grumpy camper”!
I missed the shots after she hit.
I figured 10% of something is better than 100% of nothing!
In other words,acouple of hours out in the boat was worth alot to me. I love getting out and if I do not get out,I soon become ” a grumpy camper”!
I missed the shots after she hit.
Romeo Strikes
Romeo took off from his tree perch and came in on a hit. He must of been eating earlier. His beak was dirty. He and all eagles are usually very clean about that sort of thing.
You can see how the muted light makes their feathers much less than what they could be!
Light is all it’s about really!
If I had shot this in golden light,you would see and feel a huge difference! The intensity is ratcheted up a few notches!
You can see how the muted light makes their feathers much less than what they could be!
Light is all it’s about really!
If I had shot this in golden light,you would see and feel a huge difference! The intensity is ratcheted up a few notches!
Juliette Strikes
Blue Heron
I went over to Morpheus Island to see if Moe or Maggie were around. I scoped out all their favorite perch spots and couldn’t see them. I decided to leave and was getting up onto a plane when I saw Moe coming in from the mudflats to the north.
I spooked this Heron when I arrived and panned a few shots as it went by.
Alittle Odd?
A second Heron was spooked by me and it perched here. Than Moe arrived and perched right beside it! I couldn’t get a good angle of them both together.
I found it odd that these two were so close!
These birds of a feather do not flock together!
Maggie Comes In
Blue Heron
Unknown Boat,Ahoushat Pride and Coast Guard
Not one or two ,but three boats were all moving into one scene!
The older style boat in the foreground had no name on it. The large aluminum boat is called the “Ahoushat Pride” and the Orange Zodiac is the Coast Guard coming back into the harbour.
The Ahoushat Pride was heading north to Ahoushat. I always watch out for this boat. It moves fast and produces a large wake. I’m in a 10 foot boat and have to be careful with large waves. I usually just stop and allow the wake to pass.
The older style boat in the foreground had no name on it. The large aluminum boat is called the “Ahoushat Pride” and the Orange Zodiac is the Coast Guard coming back into the harbour.
The Ahoushat Pride was heading north to Ahoushat. I always watch out for this boat. It moves fast and produces a large wake. I’m in a 10 foot boat and have to be careful with large waves. I usually just stop and allow the wake to pass.
The Happy Couple
Romeo and Juliette got together for a couples shot. The light had gotten worse so I headed in after this shot.
Action!
I found not one,not two,but three video cameras concentrating on these two surfers. They must be good to get their own video crew! I zoomed in on the guys and did not recognize them,but that doesn’t mean much.I know very few surfing faces anyways!
I went out to the beach today and dragged the camera along just for something to do. The light was terrible! I normally do not bother when the light is like this. But even I get bored!
Beach Walk
A young couple out with their two dogs for a walk on the beach. I just waited for them to cross in front of the Lighthouse.
The Comings and Goings of Frank
I got a few shots of Frank perching beside Frieda and than not more than 10 minutes later,he took off. I knew where he was going. They really like a perch tree at the far eastern part of Frank Island. They both are constantly going back and forth.
Lennard Lighthouse
I tried to shoot the Lighthouse from different angles.
I tend to always shoot from the same angle.
I tend to always shoot from the same angle.
The “Wishing Star” in a Northwester
The wind was screaming in from the northwest!
The rear end of that Frontal system went over Tofino around noon and there is always a strong wind when that happens.
The clouds broke as well and I decided to go out to the beach,cause there was no way I was going out in the boat with that Northwest wind coming straight at me where I put my boat in!
Mind you ,it was only the harbour that was capping. Up in Lemmens Inlet and Browning Pass it was calm. Meares was producing a wind shadow(Lee) .
I took one shot of the harbour with the “Wishing Star” anchored. You cannot appreciate the capping that was going on,but it was what I would call “poor canoeing weather”!
I continued on out to Chestermans beach to see what was happening. I found a kite surfer and even stronger wind!
Brave Soul
There were only a few surfers out that I could see and with me not being a surfer,I could take a guess as to why………..the waves were too dam big!
As a matter of fact,this guy was the only one that I could see at South Chestermans! There were two guys up by the Wick and that was it!
Kite Surfing
I wanted to get a better angle by going over to Frank Island,but couldn’t . The high tide was 12.8 foot and it was going down to a 0.7 foot! Thats a 12.1 flush in 6 hours. Thats a tremendous amount of water!
The access to Frank Island was still covered by the retreating tide. I shot this Kite Surfer for a hour or so and waited until I could walk across. I was still chancing it!
If a wave surge came in from either side of the access corridor,I’d get soaked, and I do not like to getting soaked!
The access to Frank Island was still covered by the retreating tide. I shot this Kite Surfer for a hour or so and waited until I could walk across. I was still chancing it!
If a wave surge came in from either side of the access corridor,I’d get soaked, and I do not like to getting soaked!
Catching a Wave
Two More Brave Souls
I did get over to Frank Island and had the entire Island to myself for half a hour or so. These two people saw me and had rubber boots like me. I always wear my rubber boots. It’s very common to see me riding my bike with my rubber boots on.
They made it over as well without getting a soaker!
You can see the Kite Surfer in the background.
I got up onto a high spot in order to get a better perspective.
Lighthouse Wave Crash
Wave Crash
Splash
Frank’s on the Hunt
I saw Frank heading out fast from the nest tree. I wasn’t sure if it was him or his wife? I think it was Frank?
He hovered for acouple of minutes and than had to go back to his perch. They cannot stay aloft very long.
Osprey can stay aloft hunting the beach line for a hour! They are the long distance runners and the eagle is more a sprinter. A really big sprinter!
He obviously saw a fish and was waiting for it to come near the surface again so he could swoop down and make a hit!
He didn’t get a opportunity. He flew back to the nest tree where I saw his mate also waiting in the wind shadow of the trees.
Amazing how he could see a small fish over 500 meters away in choppy water! The term “Eagle Eye” comes from well proven reasons!
He hovered for acouple of minutes and than had to go back to his perch. They cannot stay aloft very long.
Osprey can stay aloft hunting the beach line for a hour! They are the long distance runners and the eagle is more a sprinter. A really big sprinter!
He obviously saw a fish and was waiting for it to come near the surface again so he could swoop down and make a hit!
He didn’t get a opportunity. He flew back to the nest tree where I saw his mate also waiting in the wind shadow of the trees.
Amazing how he could see a small fish over 500 meters away in choppy water! The term “Eagle Eye” comes from well proven reasons!
Return Flight
When he returned,he went right in front of the lighthouse and I was waiting! I’ve always wanted to get a good series of shots of either Frank or Frieda in front of Lennard Island Lighthouse. I’m happy with the opportunity and results! The light could of been better,but beggars can’t be choosy!
Gull
I always like to get a bird flying through my scene. It just adds that much more! It may be small but is very large in importance!
Wave Crash,Light Flash
You can see in this shot and the two above how badly the light was snuffed by that cloud bank to the west. I saw it coming and got my well lite shots before it sucked the colour out of everything!
Sunset Gull
You can see that cloud layer that snuffed the light near sunset. The clouds were giving off some “God rays” !
The Wishing Star
This Sailing boat has been in the harbour for a week or so. It’s name is “Wishing Star”.
I “wished” they would of anchored a few hundred meters to the east. I could of shot them with Strathconas mountains in behind!
The clouds broke and the light poured in! I made a dash for the boat. I got out alittle later than what I would normally do,but it still was all good.
I was spending time mostly with my fine feathered friends today. They were the only ones that were active.
The moon came out,but it was too late! Meares Island blocked the view from the harbour and it took over a hour to be able to see it. By that time the exposure was all wrong……but I did it anyways! I do not get to shoot the moon very much,so I always make a effort if I can.
Coming In
The Daredevil came in on a good run.
Eagles have a unusual way of coming in!
If they are going too fast when they start to swoop in (and they always are) they will put the brakes on. Thats what he is doing when you see him flaring back his wings and he looks like he is almost standing up! They decrease the amount of air going over their wings and thus reduce their speed! At this moment their tail feathers are fine tuning their glide slope.
They do not want to be too fast. If they are,they may miss the fish!
I’ve seen that happen many times. When that happens, they turn very quickly and hit a second time while the fish is still helpless from the first impact.
A eagle will hit a fish hard on purpose so as to stun it! If they miss,they can afford a second run. I’ve seen a eagle’s mate come in for the second strike and get the fish. Sort of like Tag Teaming!
That eagle will fly off to a eating perch and will have it’s fill. It will than leave the fish there and it’s mate(who is close by) will come in for it’s share. They cooperate.
Lots to learn from these guys?
Eagles have a unusual way of coming in!
If they are going too fast when they start to swoop in (and they always are) they will put the brakes on. Thats what he is doing when you see him flaring back his wings and he looks like he is almost standing up! They decrease the amount of air going over their wings and thus reduce their speed! At this moment their tail feathers are fine tuning their glide slope.
They do not want to be too fast. If they are,they may miss the fish!
I’ve seen that happen many times. When that happens, they turn very quickly and hit a second time while the fish is still helpless from the first impact.
A eagle will hit a fish hard on purpose so as to stun it! If they miss,they can afford a second run. I’ve seen a eagle’s mate come in for the second strike and get the fish. Sort of like Tag Teaming!
That eagle will fly off to a eating perch and will have it’s fill. It will than leave the fish there and it’s mate(who is close by) will come in for it’s share. They cooperate.
Lots to learn from these guys?
Showing Off
The Daredevil’s mate likes to show off sometimes I swear!
She likes to swing far out and than down immediately! She’s the faster of the two I think?
She showed off even more by turning her belly to me after the hit!
Cheeky!
She likes to swing far out and than down immediately! She’s the faster of the two I think?
She showed off even more by turning her belly to me after the hit!
Cheeky!
“Honey,I’m Home”
I was watching the Dardevil’s mate and noticed out of the corner of my left eye movement! I knew exactly what it was and was anticipating it before I even turned . It was the Daredevil coming over to perch near his mate!
I started tracking him as he was coming up to perch. They use their wings and tail to flair and adjust their speed.
It kind of is like you on a bike. When you go down a hill and you speed up, and than when you start going back up the hill on the other side and you slow down. The eagle is doing the same thing.
They are using their inertia to bring them up gently to the perch spot. Just a few adjustments of the wing/tail , and they touch down softly.
This is the trickiest skill the Immature’s have trouble with I think.
I got lucky and was in the right spot to be able to shoot him as he was perching with his mate looking on from the background!
I started tracking him as he was coming up to perch. They use their wings and tail to flair and adjust their speed.
It kind of is like you on a bike. When you go down a hill and you speed up, and than when you start going back up the hill on the other side and you slow down. The eagle is doing the same thing.
They are using their inertia to bring them up gently to the perch spot. Just a few adjustments of the wing/tail , and they touch down softly.
This is the trickiest skill the Immature’s have trouble with I think.
I got lucky and was in the right spot to be able to shoot him as he was perching with his mate looking on from the background!
Classic Vampire Pose
The shot just after the hit shows a classic Vampire pose!
If you haven’t read any of my early stuff,a Vampire pose very simply put is when they pull their wings far forward in one large powerful stroke . It covers their face normally.It looks like a Vampire pulling their robe up over their face. Except in this shot,I’m alittle forward of him and you can see the face inside that first powerful wing stroke!
If you haven’t read any of my early stuff,a Vampire pose very simply put is when they pull their wings far forward in one large powerful stroke . It covers their face normally.It looks like a Vampire pulling their robe up over their face. Except in this shot,I’m alittle forward of him and you can see the face inside that first powerful wing stroke!
Junior is Home as Well
My young friend showed up today as well. He was across the channel in the dark. However both Mom and Dad chased him away. They were not in a mood to have him around.
I’ve found that if they are hungry,they do not tolerate any of their young very well.
Sounds reasonable!
I’ve found that if they are hungry,they do not tolerate any of their young very well.
Sounds reasonable!
Braking and Turning
This is a good example of how they do sudden turns in mid-air.
They sometimes do this maneuver if they miss a hit!
They sometimes do this maneuver if they miss a hit!
Unknown Immature
I’ve never seen this eagle before and when I say that, remember how I’m qualifying that.
That is,”in the spot where I saw him” I have never seen him before in this spot! Eagles have a territory they protect 24/7 and the only personnel allowed into that area are authorized personnel only! All other eagles are strictly Verboten from entering into said territory!
This Immature is about 2-3 years old. I use their tail feathers as a ruler for guessing their age. The older they get when they are immature,the more white the feathers will become. The end of the feather will have the last bit of brown on it when they are 4 to 5 years old!
That is,”in the spot where I saw him” I have never seen him before in this spot! Eagles have a territory they protect 24/7 and the only personnel allowed into that area are authorized personnel only! All other eagles are strictly Verboten from entering into said territory!
This Immature is about 2-3 years old. I use their tail feathers as a ruler for guessing their age. The older they get when they are immature,the more white the feathers will become. The end of the feather will have the last bit of brown on it when they are 4 to 5 years old!
Belted Kingfisher
I can never get close to these guys! They are so “flighty” ,if I may use that word? They are one of the only other birds that I am aware of that can hover like a Humming Bird!
Take Off
When I came through this spot,I saw this Cormorant on this rock and slowed down so as to shoot him. Unfortunately, I spooked it and got only one shot off as it was taking off.
This background is a favorite of mine and anything and everything is fair game if I catch it in front!
Blue Heron
I found this Heron on the mud flats near sunset. Strathcona’s mountains looked fantastic in behind!
It took off shortly after taking the first shot and flew over to Morpheus Island.
It took off shortly after taking the first shot and flew over to Morpheus Island.
Tofino Photography 