Description

Without warning, a “slap” followed by splashes settling back into the sea water. I turned, something was paddling across the water, massive water logged wings stroking toward shore. I had a moment of indecision and uncertainty. A bald eagle was in the water and despite valiant and forceful battles to gain air, it seemed to get no grip on the invisible molecules an eagle usually uses so adeptly to demonstrate its majestic skill of soaring. Something was wrong; the eagle sank deeper and deeper into the chill liquid. We ran for the skiff, then thought of “an eagle’s powerful talons.” An oar was readied as we raced to aid the floundering eagle.

We were too late. The eagle sank deeper as it approached shore. It was gone. Wait, there’s its head and the wings beating again. A salty, water soaked eagle emerged toward the beach. It was obviously labouring and weary. It seemed anchored to the water, unable to go ashore. A glowing red apparition appeared behind the struggling eagle. Was it injured?

Another massive paddle with wings six feet wide propelled the eagle further ashore as it fell forward on its muddied yellow bill. The eagle was apparently unable to use its legs. A grotesque form emerged, latched to the eagle’s talons. The eagle freed itself from the attacker, turned to the water, grabbed tightly with its hooked bill and reefed the form ashore.

A head emerged, not struggling or fighting. The eagle dragged it onto the narrow cobble shore and stood guard as a crowd gathered around. The leery eagle backed away, breast heaving, to scale the seaweed and barnacle encrusted rock. I asked the ever-growing crowd to move to the side. The nervous eagle relaxed and returned to the treasure – the corpse of a filleted rock cod.

Category

Week 11: Natural Foods

Species

• Bald Eagle

Tags

• low tide
• eagle
• yellow eyed rock cod
• broughton islands
• inside passage