In May I was really happy to have one of my South African cousins visiting, technically he was headed west to see my dad. But he spent a few days in Toronto with me before we both headed to Vancouver Island for an amazing getaway.
My dad and stepmom had found this phenomenal spot along the interior passage with an incredible spring confluence of eagles. As the tides rush in, the current rushes out and the hake start running - the juveniles can't control their buoyancy and spike to the surface. Thus commences the Feasting of the Eagles.
Apparently at the best of times there can be up to a thousand birds in the air in just a small section of the ocean. Most afternoons we had about 50 eagles fighting for a small amount of fish. For myself it was more than enough and I was able to get some excellent photos.
Over the four nights we spent at the Nanook Lodge on Stuart Island, we also saw sea lions, orcas, humpback whales, pacific white sided dolphins and several bears. And we were fed so well. One dreary day a few of us went out with the owner to drop some crab traps. We then picked those up on our last full day and had some ridiculously fresh Dungeness crab with our final dinner.
It was an absolutely breathtaking location, super friendly staff at the lodge, and just some of the best eagle photography opportunities ever - even though it wasn't a very good start to the season!!
