The Curious Encounter of the Photographer and the Eagle
By Ernie Basciano
14 February 2008
My name is Ernie Basciano. I am a Peterborough, ON based photographer.
Yesterday while on my way between Lakefield and Peterborough (while looking for owls and eagles) I happened to see a large bird eating something on the far side of the river at lock 25 (Sawyer's Creek).
At first I thought it was a Turkey Vulture, then I realized to my amazement that it was a Bald Eagle. I had previously heard rumours of a pair nesting on Stoney Lake (approx 50 km away), but was not sure if it was true or not.
I crept slowly accross the lock and accross the dam while taking a few pictures. It was very intent on it's meal and did not pay me very much attention. I reached the fence on the far end of the dam and slipped through the hole to the other side of the river. At that point I guess he decided I had become a threat and took off. This was after couple of unsuccessful attempts to take the fish with him, which was evidently frozen into the ice.
I went back to my car, and then realized that there was another one at lock 24, again on the far side of the river, doing exactly the same thing. I thought perhaps it was the same bird so I turned and went back to lock 25, and the original bird was back at the same fish again, so it was definately a pair of them.
I did not want to disturb them so I did not approach this time and just enjoyed from the distance for a bit, watching from my car as others drove by quickly oblivious to the rare sight they were going to fast to see. :)
