This is the eagle installment of my Long Island Whitsundays trip.
To recap, I recently had a close encounter with two red backed eagles (RB) (Brahminy Kites) and a White Bellied sea eagle, (WBSE)whilst on holiday in the Whitsundays. As stated I was on holiday and thus only had my minimal camera gear on hand. Oh how I wish I had taken the Nikon 200-500 lens but in the same breath I’m so happy that I at least had the Tamron 18-400mm. Softer is true but for a “travel” lens, that 400mm reach at least gets you in the ball park. But what I really want to dwell on here is not my inadequacy to image capture these amazing birds but to pass on a true connection with animals of the wild, one rarely gets to have. This unforgettable memory, this tolerance of my invasion into their space, was a most unexpected reward for my patience and endeavour.

Leave them be..
I now perhaps understand what many wildlife photographers deal with day in day out. I can associate with how they spend hours in uncomfortable positions. I am not sure who was more curious, the eagles of me or I of them but I can say it took quite a while for the bond to become strong enough that they allowed me, partly at least, into their world. The WBSE was far more standoffish with me, that is right up until the last day. His final acceptance of me into their territory was humbling and one I feel very honored to have had. Having spent many an hour previously with other local birds (Melbourne) it was not until this day that I realised the emotional depth and power of rapport one can have with nature. Today, walking around my backyard in my daily to and fro back in Melbourne I keep looking up over my shoulder, longing, hoping and almost expecting to catch a glimpse of the soaring aviators.
Tolerance..
The tolerance and ‘gentleman’s agreement’ , the cohabitation these eagles have for and with each other is incredible to watch. They hunt for similar foods in overlapping areas but always keep out of each others way, keeping a respectful distance apart. The only time I saw a possible inflexibility in the RBs happened, when the WBSE strayed a little too close to the RB’s nest. Whether this was a testing, inquisitive run or not I am unsure but the RBs soon chased him out of that ‘too close to home zone’. Ahh the nest.. and it is with this word that begins my story.
the Nest…
It was not long after we settled onto the shores of Palm Bay Resort (Long Island). My camera still packed away. That I noticed a bird of prey like silhouette sweep across the sky slightly above the resorts communal area. I admit I got a little excited. I went back to the room and broke open the camera gear. Using the amazing reach of the Tamron lens I could clearly see it was indeed an eagle of some sort. A little research and its id was apparent. Sitting there eating my dinner and watching this BOP sweep across the sky was magic in itself. I noticed it was constantly bringing twigs to and fro, meaning one thing, nest building.

Red Backed sea eagle(Brahminy Kite). Masters of the coastal skies
Keeping watch..
My surveillance began. These birds spend eons soaring the winds a clifftop, looking down on the shallow bay waters for prey. Gently drifting the air currents with masterful flying skills. Only occasionally did they return ‘home’. As an amateur I could not tell the difference between the pair of RBs so him and her, if used, is arbitrary. Without food, ‘he’ often returned with a few well chosen sticks, I guess so as not to appear empty handed and incur the wrath of the misses. She kept watch over the nest, hunkered down in the twigs, visible only occasional when her white chest and head rose above. I found a number of spots to keep an eye on them and eventually located the nest. I worked a few angles, one way across the bay at about the same as the nest height. It was distant but allowed me to observe without interrupting them and see on a similar level.

A busy background but a nice height for daily observations
Not the best for images but it allowed me to see their day to day routines. Above we see the male returning home with the expectant partner on nest edge, eager to see what might come in on the wing. As mentioned, male female recognition was beyond me and they certainly swapped roles, often working as tag team. This is the highest I could get and through out the time I had with them, I never saw a hint of chicks, perhaps yet to be born.
A lower angle but it did allow me to get closer. I wanted to return to this spot with a tripod and shutter release but there is only so much you can do in the time you are given.

Home with dinner or just a rest?
There was also a red head I was neglecting at the cocktail bar and after 30 years of investment in that relationship I’d be wise to get back to her.
The beach hunt…
I am not an eagle expert, far from it. I couldn’t tell you their dietary needs but it was obvious from a few days observation and learning their usual ‘hangouts’ over the coastline that it heavily included seafood.

Free in breeze he came to see who and what I was.
It was here our relationship began. First contact or recognition of each others existence. He had been cruising this part of the shoreline for a while and I slowly made my way down to the pebbles. An hour or so and he decided to swing over and checkout this procumbent figure sprawled over the rocks. He hovered 30 or so meters above my head, just looking, Head gently shifting side to side. Our eyes met and in a moments gaze established my amiability and respect and in turn I believe his acceptance of my intentions. I lay there for another hour, oblivious to the insects devouring my flesh, the pebbles were now sharp rocks inflicting pain on my bones, the camera lay by my side, muscles unable to hold it in position anymore. I simply watched the two take turns on the wing.

An amazing bird of prey and amicable relationship.
From this time on I was allowed a little closer and while I always respected their space and gave them their own time alone I did venture closer to the nest.

daily chores back to work building the nest
At the nest…
A climb in the hot sun lead me to a spot directly under the nest. I was able to camouflage myself a little by ‘diggin’ in under a bush. Again with the insects bites, sticks in my back lying flat looking up. Sooner or later they had to return surely? Time slipped by and ambled on. One slow moment followed loosely by another. A call and cry echoed off the cliff walls. He was close. Despite my attempt at hiding he had spotted me, there was no doubt. His approach as I had observed countless times from afar was different. After circling a number of times he came in a branch short of the nest. Perched looking down it was he who was now closely scrutinising me.

Who are you and what are your intentions?
Did it take time to recognise me or had I now broken the rules? Over stepped my mark perhaps? I was feeling a little guilty like I’d broken some unwritten agreement. In my mind I also kept asking where was his mate. I was a little on edge tis true, only minutes before a goanna had sauntered past my hideout. Some what startled the both of us had also applied the gaze of “whats your intent”, friend or foe?

friend or foe?
The goanna believed my humble friendly and grateful eyes and moved on.

Whilst in my cove of invisibility, a pied imperial pigeon had also perched close by but moved on fairly quickly.
Returning to our main story now, the RB had granted me clemency. One more brief tight, circuit and he reverted to his original flight plan back home to the nest.

A last look, a deceleration of leniency then back to the nesting.
I stayed a little while longer but decided I had plagued them long enough. Removing myself from the tangle of leaves and bush I quietly left them to their own peace.

Ever watchful
I turned as if I knew I was being watched, the nest was empty. Silently he had removed himself to a better watchtower and I guess was approving of my departure.
With a final dismissal the king, upon his throne, returned his attention to assessing his kingdom from on high. And all was good.

The king regarding his kingdom
The final flight…
The story as yet tho is unfinished. Whilst we are in the last chapter my feathered friends would deliver a final act deserving a standing ovation and fond farewell.

White bellied sea eagle keeps his distance
Till now I have concentrated this story on the antics of the RBs. The WBSE was far more removed and although I had glimpsed him occasionally, he flew higher and kept a further distance. I had taken a walk along the foreshore on the back beach(Eastern) heading towards Pelican Island and it was on this walk I found his home territory. They travel such distances on their meandering hunts that much larger lenses are required unless you are prepared to settle down and wait. Two specific areas were often visited but I never seamed to be in the right one at the right time.

White bellied eagle surveys his lands
His favored perch was much higher and much further away from humankind. My interaction with this larger more subdued flyer was limited. He was more inclined to just take the breeze away, toward another beach when he spotted the unusual.

The one or two occasions when he did fly overhead I was never ready, in the wrong mode or simply too distracted by something else, perhaps that red head I mentioned earlier.
On the last morning, destined for an early pickup by boat from our island hideaway we had readied earlier than expected and we wondered down to the eastern beach once more. The sun had already just peaked over Hamilton and Dent islands but I’d taken my camera anyway. Fully intent on just sitting on the sunrise swing seat and just taking the scene in one last time. But as we crested the helipad a large shadow rose from the dropping beach, I flicked the camera on but nothing happened. I pushed the shutter again and still nothing. As dawn was breaking over the ocean it occurred to me that the night previously I was in delayed shutter mode, ISO 100 with ND filters on and manual with long shutter times. I had been dogmatic about resetting my camera after a shoot to a more normal mode should such an occasion catch me off guard like now. But I was heading home, expected no other images and had lapsed to old bad habits. I corrected the camera but the ‘shadow’ had loomed away.

Impressionistic view of the WBSE after food pickup
Sitting quietly now we waited and he returned. Something yet to be identified by me was washed up the edge of the waves and was certainly attracting the attention of the aerial consumers. Like airplanes circling to land he formed a pattern of slow descending horizontal loops then plunged downward to swoop. The hope of an easy feast had removed his wariness and concern of our company.

Impressionistic view of the WBSE coming in for the kill
It was a feast for our eyes watching this ritual of aerobatic skills.
I slowly removed myself from the seat to get a better POV as I was currently shooting straight into the sun. Once again laying on those pebbles but at least I was now getting some side light and on their ground level.

In hover mode just before the swoop

The flair and pickup

A successful capture

It was only time before others appeared on the scene and I was amazed how a few seagulls could turn away such a a large and powerful adversary. I guess size has some sort of penance and tolerance for the weaker.
These two persistent seagulls decided it was their easy meal and harangued the WBSE till he swept away to a nearby perch and still they pestered.

Leave me alone!!
In life however there is always one who wants more than the other and the the two RBs appeared above ready to cash in on the removal of the WBSE from the party. I noticed an intelligence in the tactics. One held the high ground ready to attack and protect while the other swooped in for a catch in the now cleared airspace.

Ready for action

Snatch n grab
Fabulous air skills flying low and fast. The flair and attack dive was fascinating to watch. I was some what hampered by my laying position on the rocks (yes they were once again hard pointy rocks by this time) but still managed some decent images.

One of my favorite shots. A perfect bird in a perfect environment producing a perfect flying display
RB in action anticipating another pickup.

One could believe there is a smile on his face and he was enjoying this
The WBSE remained high cruising perhaps regretful of its relinquished meal but I’d rather suspect that things turn and swing on a dime out here in the wild. What one day is his victory will be another’s loss. Either way in the long term the sky is theirs and there is no doubt of their stamp on its dominance.
This last hurrah and parting gift of theirs to me was immense and left me brimming from ear to ear as I left the island.
What was more, almost obtuse to me, was that most inhabitants were unaware. The sore back, crook neck, bruised limbs and bitten flesh was well worth the price of entry to the show of a lifetime.
There is more to come of the Whitsundays trip so stay tuned. Also see the images over on my Whitsundays flickr album.
You want to be a bookworm?
You want to be aloof?
You want to sit in judgment,
Looking down from the roof?
Try a wee sensation: but first you have to want to join in.
You should be, should be raging
Down the freeway
With some friends from the mall.
Don’t stay forever in your limbo:
Fly before you fall,
Little sparrow on the schoolyard wall.
So dress a little dangerous
And modify your walk.
There’s nothing wrong with sparrows,
But try to be a sparrowhawk.
Hunting in the evening and floating
In the heat in the day.
You might, might acquire
Some predatory instinct.
Do the wolf pack crawl.
Don’t stay forever in your limbo:
Fly before you fall,
Little sparrow on the schoolyard wall.
Little sparrow on the wall.
Well, I don’t want to be your daddy.
Don’t want to be your engineer of sin.
And I don’t want to play the piper here.
I’m only banging on a mandolin
And anyway, you’re just a little sparrow
On the schoolyard wall.
There’s nothing wrong with learning.
Nothing wrong with your books.
So exercise some judgment.
Too much broth can spoil the cook.
Feel a little sensation
And know when it’s time to join in.
You should be, should be raging down
The freeway with some friends from the mall.
Don’t stay forever in your limbo:
Fly before you fall,
Before you fall, little sparrow
On the schoolyard wall.
Little sparrow on the schoolyard wall.
Little sparrow on the schoolyard wall.
Little sparrow on the schoolyard wall.
Little sparrow on the schoolyard wall.
Songwriters: Ian Anderson
Sparrow on the Schoolyard Wall lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Don’t be a sparrowhawk when you can soar with the eagles