06/11/2026
KHUTZEYMATEEN NATIONAL PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Post #3 – Bald Eagles
Besides the grizzly bears, bald eagles were another highlight of this safari. They were often seen perched atop towering trees as we travelled through the pristine waterways of the park.
On our return to Prince Rupert after a full day of grizzly bear viewing, our catamaran suddenly began to slow down and then the engine was shut off. Curious about what was happening, I looked out the window and saw a bald eagle flying remarkably close to the boat, almost as if it were guiding us.
I quickly grabbed my camera, and within moments everyone was scrambling to reach one of the four outdoor viewing decks. To our amazement, countless bald eagles were soaring and hovering overhead. The only sounds were the clicking of camera shutters and expressions of awe from fellow photographers. The spectacle continued for about fifteen minutes and was truly exhilarating—a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The bald eagle is a bird of prey native to North America and is commonly found near large bodies of open water that provide abundant food and old-growth trees suitable for nesting. An opportunistic hunter, it feeds primarily on fish, swooping down to sn**ch its prey from the water with powerful talons.
Bald eagles build the largest nests of any North American bird, with some reaching up to 4 metres (13 feet) deep, 2.5 metres (8 feet) wide, and weighing as much as one metric ton. Despite their name, bald eagles are not actually bald; the term comes from an old English word meaning “white-headed.” Adults are easily recognized by their dark brown bodies, white heads and tails, and large yellow hooked beaks. Females are typically about 25% larger than males, while immature birds are mostly brown.
Witnessing so many bald eagles in their natural habitat was an unforgettable finale to an incredible day in one of British Columbia’s most spectacular wilderness areas.
