Sometimes a simple morning outing turns into much more than you bargained for, and this morning was a whopper!
In all my years in BC, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve witnessed an eagle swoop down and catch a fish out of the water in the majestic manner that only eagles can do.
Today, in a ten minute period, I witnessed a spectacle that I, ( and I hope my children) will remember for the rest of my life.
The Serpentine Fen trails here in Surrey are a fantastic place to combine a run with nature. Winding along the Serpentine River to the sea, wildlife abounds and it is not uncommon to see seals, eagles, herons and many species of other songbirds and ducks along the way.
As we entered the trails today, a large juvenile eagle and a rather enormous mature specimen sat not more than a stones throw in some branches overhead, prompting my four year old to grab my hand for safety. however, it wasn’t until nearly the end of our walk that we rounded a bend along the river to see 7 bald eagles, juveniles and mature, swooping and scooping in what could be described as nothing other than a feeding frenzy.
The millions of spawning little fish ( smelt, perhaps?) that had swum up the river, were all concentrated in bend in the river where it shallows, providing a natural buffet for the hungry birds.
Parking the running stroller, my son and sat on the bank and watched as the massive raptors soared, spotted and then swooped down in a rush to snatch a wriggling fish from the water.
Rather than stop and land to eat, the eagles would simply reach down in flight and swallow the little fish whole, then climb again to ready for another try. At one point , all 7 birds were in flight in a an aerobatic display, that another family had the chance to view from the bank opposite us.
I sat with my son as the eagles took their fill, and appetites sated for the time being, retreated to posts in the water to groom and rest.
He was awestruck, and I explained to him the significance of what we had just seen, so close to home and in a suburban area, and why we need to protect areas like this.
No more spawning grounds = no more fish.
No more fish = no more eagles.
He might be only 4 years old, but he could see the importance of preservation and conservation.
As we dusted off our behinds and walked the distance back to the car, we saw 8 more eagles in the trees along the river, and amazement was in the face of person we passed along the way.
Let me tell you, the Snowbirds would have had a hard time topping this day.
Laila,
There was an Eagle Tree in front of our house on Pender Island — a regular perch where eagles watched the ocean depths for fish — and where we watched the eagles. I can still hear their silly little voices, like rusty hinges of a farm-gate.
But I guess it takes a river, for the kind of event you describe so well. What a thrill … thanks for sharing. Beautiful photos, too.
Feel like I must mention my own happiest sighting. Orca whales were a common sight, and many’s a phone call came from neighbours who would shout “Orcas passing!” then slam down the phone, so we could get out on deck to watch the passing parade. Sometimes right close to our house.
But one day, the orcas formed a circle, a bit farther offshore. No swimming, no passing, just hung there in a circle. Then, as if on cue, they began to breach … leaping high, and smashing the water with their tails. Spectacular. It looked like a precision drill, but we couldn’t figure out what it meant.
Later, we were told it’s a kind of a co-operative fishing maneouver — they encounter a school of fish — they circle the fish, penning them in — they stun them — they feast.
Only saw that happen once, in 17 years on Pender Island. But like you say, these are things we remember the rest of our lives.
Beautiful story Mary! I’m so jealous – although I’ve travelled up and down the lower coast by ferry, and spent many wonderful weekends over in the Tofino area, not once have I encountered or watched a whale in nature.
I’ve balked at the touristy whale watching tours, but if It doesn’t happen soon ” by accident” then I guess that’s my last resort.
The eagles however, were spectacular.
A lovely story indeed and great for your little guy to see the eagles like that. Perhaps the fish were spawning eulachon, a bit late this year but then everything seems to be late due to the harsh winter.
Oh! I wonder…. I’ll have to make some calls to find out! Brings to mind another rare pleasure I haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy since I was a child.
We had a family friend( now departed) who lived in Mission and would visit us in PG a couple of times a year. Wonderful fellow, we called him Uncle Kozi, which confused everyone because he was Japanese and we were all white… hehe. On his visits, he would pile his van full of coastal treasures not available in Prince George, one of them being smoked eulachons… mmmmmm
I still remember vividly the smoky oily smell and slick taste of the litte fish as we devoured them whole. One would think we were starving we would eat them so quickly. I wonder how the eulachon are faring these days? Nearly as important as the salmon to the history of our province…