Saturday at Brackendale - Dec 4

December 4th, was the first Saturday without teaching commitments in a few months, so when Bill suggested a day in Squamish, my response was enthusiastic. We left fairly early in the morning, Bill concentrating on the road while I..

pointed the camera wherever the spirit took me. Lattes (perfect JJBean ones that particular morning) were an important part of the adventure day ritual.

By the time we were halfway there, the sun was up and the skies blue, although not quite so blue as in this picture - that has more to do with the tinted windshield.

Winding roads and mountain peaks along the Sea to Sky Highway, with Squamish just ahead.

The first eagle we saw was a juvenile. It takes about four years before their heads become fully white. Juveniles sit for long periods, needing rest. Every take-off consumes a great many calories. We learned last year, after the training session for the eagle count, that young eagles are at risk of starvation. It is really important not to disturb them when they are resting. This one was a long way up, so no problem with taking photos. Most stay on the other side of the river (where people are asked not to go), but this tree was very close to the eagle-count station.

Cropped for a slightly better view.

A Common Merganser in sunlight.

Flying shots are always fun. This is a series of one eagle going by..

turning..

and coming toward me.

The approach in my lens..

makes my heart pound.

This heron sat for hours, fishing.

There were lots of seagulls..

also fishing.

Often, one eagle waits while the mate brings the food and divides it up for sharing.

Bill entertains Black Jack who is beside herself with excitement. The day is cold, but with the occasional warm-up in the truck, a coffee-break at the restaurant (they kindly allowed us to sit with Black Jack at the tables in the heated porch area), we both do well. I never get over appreciating these adventure days.

A Merganser coming in for the landing.

Seagull coming in. There are so many types of gulls - ten pages of pictures in my book. I can't even venture a guess to identify this one. It seems a bit different, but perhaps those are just shadows over its wings and face.

The pebbles and stones make a colourful background..

and seem to act as a kind of camouflage.

I always wonder what they are saying. "Hurry up and bring me food," is my guess, but sometimes, I like to think they could be communicating instructions to the juveniles.

There are a couple of my favourite flying shots.

This cat was in the snow trail behind the restaurant.

It climbed up the bank from some houses,

and rolled at my feet. Beautiful cat, and so friendly. I worried for it, but hope it was experienced in avoiding the eagles.

We left the riverside, went into town for a delicious lunch at Chef Big-D's (I love this place), and then headed to the golf course, wondering if we might see more eagles there. In all, for the day we probably saw about thirty eagles, well down from former days when I'm told the record was 3,769. We saw only one in the distance there, but Bill brought my attention to the snow crystals.

Black Jack was even more enthused (if that could be possible) about this area. She took Bill hither and thither,

clearly on the trail of some unseen but tantalizing prey.

Black Jack's profile against a sparkling river.

that seemed to fascinate her,

although she was, on occasion, happy to view it from the warmth of Bill's arms.

We made one more trip back to the original lookout for just a couple of flying shots before heading homeward.

This peak is just so pointy - we always notice it, but have not yet learned its name.

Coming back into Vancouver, I sigh contentedly as we approach the Lions Gate Bridge. Almost a month later, there is still a warm glow of memory to the day. Thank you, Bill, for making it possible.