Category: Frank Island

MY TURN!!

Birds, Chesterman's Beach, Eagles, Frank Island, Tofino Beaches, Tofino Birds, Tofino Eagles, Trail Camera

As some of you already know, I have been documenting the feeding behaviour of eagles on a dead Sea Lion out on Chestermans beach (Frank island). The Sea Lion is a young female Stellar Sea Lion and she was pregnant.

To help them to get at the meat I cut the carcass open. Later when I swapped the card I saw the remains of a unborn pup inside her. I could see whiskers and wondered what it was? I looked closer and realized it was the nose of the pup. Poor thing never had a chance.  I still do not know why this Lion died? I just hope it was from natural causes.

I set up a trail camera station. It took me a lot of work and about three days of figuring it out,but I think I have it now.

In this video an adult eagle has been feeding too long…..according to another eagle and It was persuaded to MOVE!

After the attack you can hear the attacker scolding the other eagle and than hop over for a bite.

BEACH REFLECTIONS

Chesterman's Beach, Clouds, Frank Island, Lennard Island Lighthouse, Sunset, Tofino Beaches

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The only time I can get great reflective beach shots is during winter. As you know,we get a lot of rain during the winter. Sometimes we get a break in between these storm systems & the sun shines. It has to be low tide as well near sunset. All that rain drains from the land to the beach.With it being low tide,there are these large flat areas.The water coats these areas & makes a fantastic reflective surface!

Having some cool clouds always helps as well!

CHESTERMAN BEACH PANO

Chesterman's Beach, Frank Island, Panos

20150114-Chesterman Pano #2I made a slight error today! I was about to head out in my boat with my camera bag already on my back,when I thought I’d check the Satellite weather site to see what was going on? I saw a bank of cloud coming in not more than a 100 clicks SW of Tofino. I verified that with a local beach camera. It looks westward.

I need the light to take my shots! If there is a bank of clouds moving in that’ll block the light I see no reason to head out! It takes a lot of effort to carry my boat down to the water,the engine & all my gear! I decided that we were most likely going to loose the light in a hour or so……………………..so no point in going out!
I decided to go out to the beach instead. The beach is always a great Plan B.
I went out to the beach & quickly realized that those clouds I saw on the Satellite site were dissipating as they approached the coast line!
Basically,the light was going to stay good & yes I could have gone out in the boat! Mother Nature suckered me! She’s always keeping me on my toes!
I hate making the wrong calls,……………but I still saved the day with some good beach shots!

SQUEAKY FRANK

Eagles, Frank Island, Tofino Wildlife

20130112-IMG_211920130112-IMG_2121Frank & Frieda are the resident eagles on Frank island. Frank was on his normal perching spot but I didn’t see Frieda nearby?
Frank has had a problem with his throat. I see him try to chirp & nothing comes out! It’s like he’s a mute! He looks funny when he trys & nothing comes out!
However,I could hear him making a squeaking sound tonight! His voice is getting better! He still sounds pretty funny!
I’d like to think he was trying to say hello to me in his own way!

Frank on Frank

Eagle Nest, Eagles, Frank Island, Tofino Wildlife

Frank or Frieda are almost always on their nest tree. The only time I do not see them on their nest is when it’s windy!
I woke up very early this morning (5am) & rode my bike out to the beach in the dark for one reason & one reason only! I wanted to shoot the moon set/sunrise!
Specifically,I wanted to get a shot of the full moon hanging directly above the Lighthouse! Unfortunately the moon’s orbit was too far south! I couldn’t line them both up! It’s a matter of geometry really.
Think of the moon as being point “A” & the Lighthouse as being point “B”. By lining up A & B I get point “C”.(in theory)
Because the moon was too far south,I couldn’t find point “C”!
I was able to get a shot of Frank silhouetted against the moon however!
This shot shows the reverse angle 8 hours later.
I’ve found out the best times to shoot the Moon is 3 days before being full & the morning after it was full.(moon rise/sunset & moon set/sunrise)
It’s all about having the moon near the horizon & having golden sunlight bathing the surrounding terrain!
If all your doing is shooting the moon by it’s self up in the sky,than that’s an Astronomical shot & there are billions of those!
I try to get the moon contrasted against a interesting background. The time window is about 20 minutes! The moon is not too faint & not too bright. It has to be in the “Goldilocks Zone”!

Best Buds!

Frank Island, Snow, Sunset

This is a local with her dog. Devo & Bella. They happened to come out to Frank Island when I was there shooting. I asked if I could take a few shots of them both? She said sure.
The Light was fantastic for only about 30 seconds! The sun came through all that cloud and made them snap,crackle & pop! The snow in the background was the icing to the cake!
When they first came out onto the island,Bella had started barking at me! She must of been at least 500 meters away and just knew that I was trouble!
She later came over and to say hi sheepishly.