I set out early this morning (3.8.2019) to capture a Double-crested Cormorant for a blog post I am working on. 

I was going to photograph this Double-crested Cormorant if it came in closer to shore, but it got snatched up. This female Eagle that was flying around overhead and decided it was time to share a meal with its mate. It had located the Cormorant and was hovering above it at about twenty-five feet. With a fast descent, it grabbed it and was off with the catch.

She was having a hard time gaining any elevation with the Cormorant in its talons. It took a low-level turn and headed back to the shoreline.  

From where it was captured, in the Guemes Channel near Cooks Cove, the Eagle skipped the Cormorant across the water all the way in.

I was fortunate that she headed closer to my location. Giving me a much closer opportunity and better lighting conditions for the image. Believe me, I WAS jumping for joy that this was playing out in front of me!

Then it happens! The wildlife photographer’s nightmare, losing its subject.

When this happens, there are two choices; sit down and cry or take immediate action. I took action and headed out to where I thought it may have landed on shore. Working my way up a gravel road and looking for any signs of where it may have gone. I was getting close to the end of the road and parked. I would need to go look over the cliff-side to see if I could see it. Fortunately, access to the cliff side was going to be simple.

This is where I was able to find them at about a hundred feet below. The nice thing was there were no obstacles in the way. The lighting conditions were fantastic for being early morning sunrise and limited cloud cover. This image captured with my iPhone was at the end of the shoot, and the sun had gone behind the clouds.

Just as I got there, the male had taken some of the Cormorant and flew off. The female stayed and finished up eating most of what was left. She spent a lot of time warning others to stay away from his catch. There were four other Eagles overhead waiting for the opportunity to steal it. She was letting them know that was not going to happen.

I think they had a lot of respect for her because all he had to do was let out a call and they would stay away.   

The male came back after a while to see what was going on with its mate. The mate flew up to greet him and have a discussion. Not sure what that was about but it went on for a bit.

Since the female had left the catch, all the others were back and ready to take it. The couple spent some time letting them know that was not for the taking. This went on for about ten minutes and ended with all the other eagles in the area leaving.

I had quite the morning with an excellent opportunity to capture this playing out to the end. I will say I have been fortunate a lot of times with running into situations like this.