This morning I was awakened by the call of eagles. We have heard a few of them since arriving, but hadn’t seen them. However, this morning at least 20 eagles came into our bay with the tide. Every tree in the area seemed to hold at least one big bird. We have no idea what brought them. They stayed for six hours and a couple remain in nearby trees tonight. Watching them today we discovered a nest in a nearby tree. No doubt that is where the calls we have heard came from. Today those parents were surrounded by others swooping around the nest and sitting in the trees. What a sight!
After a few hours of watching the eagles we took our daily walk along the nearby trail. With the warm weather things change quickly. Flowers that were blooming four days ago are gone. Berries that were green are now turning red. A tree that had hard green fruit now sports red cherries. With glimpses of the creek and the bay it is a lovely place to walk.
In the afternoon I practiced my ukulele for an hour. I’m working on some new songs to share with Julie, my partner in Home Cookin’. More on that in coming posts.
Finally, my art supplies called and I settled at a table downstairs to draw. Since arriving I have been looking at the many moon snail shells in the house. Today I chose three of them and set them up on my table to draw in pencil.
They are still on the table and may tempt me to get out some paints. We’ll see.
So ends another day on Vancouver Island.
Paul
Travels With Picasso 
Eagles: in that area they are almost like robins. At the garbage dump there are
Sometimes scores of them waiting to pounce on careless seagulls. It not uncommon for them to be inadvertently killed by busy tractors. It’s hard to get respect in such numbers.
Sent from my iPhone
The Rodney Dangerfields of the avian world? Our neighbor said she’s been here 50 years and has never seen that many on this side of the bay. They usually gather over on the Comox side according to her. No one knows what drew them our way yesterday. Today we’re back to our nesting pair and their young eaglet.
I love your majestic picture of the imperial eagle; I have tried myself but was never successful. I am impressed, especially as I know how difficult it is to be at the right place at the right moment with camera in hand.
I also love your drawing of the three shells; I am always in awe of your achievements.
Keep enjoying