Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival
Camellia Back in Great Neck
November 28, 2011Camellia Back at NBG Nov 30
December 1, 2011As many of you are aware, I attended the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival (www.fraservalleybaldeaglefestival.ca) in British Columbia, Canada earlier this month. The festival is supported by the Hancock Wildlife Foundation (www.hancockwildlife.org). David Hancock had taken an inventory and reported 1,137 bald eagles on November 17, with more eagles arriving daily. The eagles are attracted to the Fraser and Harrison Rivers by spawning Coho, Chum, and Chinook Salmon. I estimate that I saw about 400 bald eagles of all ages. My trip included a visit to the Inch Creek Fish Hatchery (Coho photo). Attached are a few of my photos (Copyright by Reese F Lukei, Jr).
31 Comments
Amazing pictures! Thanks for sharing the photos of Eagles in B C. I hope to go to Congowingo Dam in MD over Christmas break, and hope to see some there.
Reese, these are fabulous photos– what a treat that must have been. The “bad hair day” one tickled me. I’m glad you got to attend this festival.
Question– I was told by a tour bus driver in Alaska that the bald eagle’s worst enemy is…. a too big salmon! He said that the eagle would catch a huge fish, which would then proceed to beat the eagle to death against the river rocks in its fighting. Is there any truth to that, or was he pulling our legs?
Response – never heard of such a thing happening. Sounds like fiction to me.
wow
What a treat to see so many Eagles in one area. I like the seond to last image with the youngsters squabbling. I know it’s hard to judge size without comparing them but dit you notice a size difference in the Eagles up north vs. the local Eagles?
Response – I don’t think most people even know to look for a size difference, but I have been to Canada and Alaska many times and I do notice the much larger northern subspecies. Not so much when sitting but in flight.
Holy Moly! What a treat!
Oh, my!
So many eagles, so many fish. No gulls were eaten ?
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Just great pictures. Thanks so much for sharing.
WOW!!! What a beautiful sight that must have been. Thank you for sharing these great photos.
What a sight. I envy you. Thanks for sharing.
These pictures are like food for the soul. I am envious of yoru experience!
Totally awesome pictures!! The first one totally blew me away, I have never seen so many eagles in one place.
Wow…this is amazing! What a wonderful photo opportunity!
Wow, those are wonderful pictures. Eagles everywhere!
Oh WOW! What a wonderful experience for you! How cool was that? Great pictures! Thanks for sharing with us!
Thanks for sharing, must have been an awesome experience. I’ll mark this British Columbia spot as a possible future vacation!
WOW!! What an awesome trip! Thank you for sharing!
Great photos! i bet you had a wonderful time. Looking at all of those eagles gathered in one spot, i find it hard to believe that they are “solitary” birds!
I get excited when I sight one lone Eagle. What an amazing experience it must be to see them in such large numbers flourishing in a healthy environment.
What wonderful pictures of these eagles!! You are so lucky to be able to experience these sightings! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us Reese!
Your pictures are just beautiful!!!
Great Photos Reese. I was amazed and delighted to see the number of juveniles in the pics. Glad to see so many have made it this far.
WOW! That must have been one amazing trip! I love the pictures! Thanks so much for sharing with us. I remember being so thrilled when we went to Alaska and saw so many baldeagles. I will now have to take a trip to BC.
Great pictures. I never get tired of looking at another eagle photo. We have eagles in our area but they like to stay hidden along the river. It is fun seeking them out in the trees with a spotting scope. Most people we come in contact with have no idea of the number of eagles in our area. Love sharing the spotting scope and what we know with visitors to the area. Thanks for sharing! GMD
What an exciting and rare experience that must have been for you. Can’t imagine what it must feel like to see so many eagles congregated in one place for one purpose.
Reading this simply brings a huge smile of pride to my face. I was born and raised in Vancouver and lived my teen years in Langley in the Fraser Valley. My brother-in-law was a gillnetter on the Fraser in the Fort Langley area, as well are his sons in the present day. I was raised on salmon…ate salmon/fish of all species. During the second World War my mother worked in the fish cannery (my father in the shipyards building ships). Every evening mother brought home a salmon tucked in her black lunch bucket. It was our dinner for the evening and leftovers were lunch the next day, only to repeat itself the following day. I am 74 and to this day LOVE salmon – I’d make a great eagle! LOL While loving my heritage of Canada, I have become a proud and faithful American citizen and the strength of our national bird only demonstrates just how GREAT WE ARE! Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures…Beth
All I can say is WOW and THAT MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING TO SEE!
Wow is definitely the word! And Happy Birthday, Reese!
Happy Birthday Reese!! What a beautiful day to celebrate!! It’s your day!! I wish I lived closer. Since I just retired (Dec. 1) I would like to be your driver on all your Eagle excursions! :>) Driving Mr. Lukei!! Sounds good
to me!! All of your pictures are awesome!! I just purchased a Canon Rebel T3i and a telephoto lens. I hope to get some good shots of our Eagles. They too are bringing sticks to the nest. Have a great day!!
Absolutely beautiful pics, Mr Lukei!!!! Wish I could of been there! And I wanted to wish you the very best birthday!! You are so deserving for everything you do!!!
WOW!! How awesome was that, I wouldhave been walking around with my mouth open!! So many eagels in one place. Thanks for sharing Mr. Lukei !! Just beautiful..