This is shear flukeyness that I was able to get this shot! I’d like to say that I was such a great photographer,but it’s only due to the fact of being at the right place,at the right time!
Thats what it’s all about really. Just getting out there and always rolling those photographic dice! Sooner or later,I’m bound to get something unusual! If I just keep doing it again and again! I don’t mind. As a matter of fact,I love getting out and do not consider it work or tiring in the slightest! It’s always a beautiful adventure ! I live for that and for moments like this! I figure that sooner or later I will get more and more shots like this if I just keep getting out.
Thats what it’s all about!
Category: Best Shot of the Night
Take Out Sushi
He was such a polite bear!
He invited a total stranger to come home with him for supper! Now thats being friendly!
Best Shot of the Night
Wakana was born in 63 and still going strong! Her son travels with her. Such a good son!
She’s the smaller of the two.
Best Shot of the Night
I saw him checking this bed out and was out of position to line the Lighthouse and him. I started up my out board and zipped over to the sweet spot.
I’ve been trying to get a shot like this for years.
Rear End (Best Shot of the Night)
I like the angle of the pose and the spray from the strike as well!
Yes,the rear end is between my eyes and his eyes,but the pose overcomes that Golden rule of mine. It’s a general rule of thumb and not set in stone.
Classic Pose Sequence
It’s right about at this time that I’m trying to hang on for dear life! Once I get the focus,I have to track him perfectly. It’s very hard to do! Trying to duplicate it’s movement accurately is alot harder than you think!
You know generally what they are going to do,but each strike is different! I try to get close and hang on. If I were to zoom back and track him,that would be very easy. It’s when you try to track the eagle up close and personal. Go try it yourself.
Go down to the shore or lake where there are some birds . Zoom in on your camera to get it as close as you can. Than when you see one flying,try to track it.
I do the same thing from a moving boat. You get use to it,but it takes many mistakes to understand what exactly is going on here!
I also track with both eyes open. That way I can see whats going on around me and keep a eye on my subject.
Juliette Coming In
She gave me her profile as she was coming in. The wind had died down and she came in on a good angle. If the wind is blowing,she would be heading into it for the strike. When the wind is blowing,I can tell what angle they may come in at! However,tonight was a toss up. When theres no wind….all bets are off.
Lennard Island Lighthouse at Sunset (Best Shot of the Night)
The sun did come out in all it’s glory,but a low cloud was about to swallow it up.
I got a few of the Lighthouse before the sun said goodnight.
Delilah (Best Shot of the Night)
She came in to say hi and grab a fish for a sunset snack! The second shot is the one I like the most!
Lucky Shot (Best Shot of the Night)
I saw Tofino Air taking off on the left and new that they would cross my frame after taking off. I also saw the “Ahousat Pride” coming in from my right and hoped I could get them all together!?
Whats the odds of that? When the planes take off,they are loud and I think she was looking at the plane because of that.
I did get the shot,but the silly bird turned her profile from me! I’m keeping it however. That’ll never happen again! Still a interesting shot.
The” Ahousat Pride” is a Native boat and goes back and forth to Ahousat. (5 miles to the north)It really moves and leaves a large wake as a result,which for me in my little boat is something I am always mindful of!
Afterglow Boat Ride- Best Shot of the Night
As I was shadowing them,the light was getting softer and softer! That slit in the clouds really produced some great light at/after sunset!
I chose this shot as the best tonight because of the colour. We didn’t have it all night,so it was great to see some!
I also liked the lines on this Dory.
Best Shot of the Night
He got a fish and was heading away to the nest. The eaglet they have is growing fast.
I chose this shot because it’s different. I wanted to get something that I do not normally get. The tree projecting out makes this shot at sunset.
Best Shot of the Night
He passed over top of me and was checking me out. I wonder what he was thinking?
Acrobatics(Best Shot of the Night)
These 5 shots show some acrobatic maneuvers!
Best Shot Sequence of the Night
The fish he tried to get was way bigger than what he should of tried for! He tried to lift it,but it slipped and made a huge splash.
He went to bed hungry tonight.
Just as well,it looks like he was getting fat!(not!)
I noticed something interesting. As a abstract………if you look at the water splash behind him,and use your imagination,you can see an almost identical image of the eagle in the same position!
Best Shot Sequence of the Night
The male from Monas Island turned and started a run to come in. They are always easy targets when they do this. They are moving much slower than normal.
I like the pose. You can see the feathers lifting on top of the wing from the low pressure turbulence.
Best Shot of the Night Sequence
I caught Romeo coming in and thought the only thing I could do was to back lite him! I normally do not like shooting from the rear of a animal. It works if the background is semi interesting!
I did manage a good small sequence as well.
Best Shot of the Night
This eagle did not mind the crows constant dive bombing and the crow would tire after a few minutes and perch beside the eagle to rest.
Than,a few minutes later continue with the harassment!
Best Shot Sequence of the Night
The eagle missed and went up into the tree to perch and think. Whenever they miss they either try again right away or they perch and scratch their head. This guy perched.
His mate tag teamed him. They do this all the time. If one misses,the other not only takes the opportunity,but also the fish! They get to eat first and their mate eats after.
First come,first serve.
Best Shot of the Night
I like this shot not only because it has one of my favorite eagles,but also because of the background.
The background just sets this shot off much better. It allows the eye to roam.
It makes it look 3D ! It’s because it has foreground,mid-ground and background.
Best Shot of the Night
It’s funny,but the very first shot I took turned out to be the best shot of the night ! I should of quit while I was ahead.
The pose,angle and light makes this a really good shot.
The shutter speed was 1/1250 th of a second. Over a thousandth ,will freeze even these guys solid.
Best Shot Sequence of the Night
I can never understand these guys?
When the Daredevil jumped,you can see how all the crows were getting the hell away from him! The crows pester the eagles always,but also know that they are not the boss and be easily eaten! They just want to be a thorn in the side and get the eagle to “push off”!
This is the only nest I know of that has eagles and crows living together on the same small island! I do not know why they tolerate each other?
(Kind of reminds me of the middle east) Theres lots of places for the crows to build a nest,but not for eagles. Eagles can only use big trees by the water!
If I was the Daredevil,I would be paying a visit to my neighbors and take care of that harassment problem!
Maybe make some Crow pie? Brings a new definition to the term”Eating Crow”.
Crows are very smart . The only bird smarter would be a Raven. Now they are one smart cookie. Ravens are amazing creatures!
Best Shot of the Night
Romeo came around after the sun had set.I appreciate him looking to the left to give alittle better profile.
The cloud structure was good,and the light was semi good. However,I got acouple good silhouettes of Romeo at sunset.
This is why I like going to Deadman at sunset. The west is relatively free of obstructions and gives full light onto the nest/island.
Best Shot of the Night
This is a lucky shot. I have never seen a Immature go after a fish and get it before! It was a poor night for shots ,but this one shot makes up for it.
Notice how he used only one talon! The other is still folded.
Best Shot of the Night
I’m going to start posting the shot I think is the best of the nights shoot.
This is the first one. It’s one of the Monas Island Gang.
True, the right wing is cut off ,but he makes up for my short comings in my composition by looking to the right. It gives a better profile and the way he grabbed the fish was just shear fluky!
Tofino Photography 