Bald Eagle Hunting For Breakfast

Dale Matson

The focus of my eagle photography has changed over the years. I initially tried for a close perch photo with no branches obscuring the bird. The next goal was to get a good bird in flight (BIF) photo. After that, I wanted to get a good eagle fight photo (usually over a salmon). This year, during our Chilkot River trip to Alaska, I was able to get the best of all those previous efforts.

Now, my quest is to get a good capture photo. So far this year, I have an interesting but small and partially hidden example of my quest. I have been stationing myself at areas I know where groups of Coots hang out. They are a slow bird and eagles have a good chance of catching one for breakfast. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-coot

They cluster together in groups in coves and swim along the shoreline, occasionally walking around on dry land. Their travel seems to me to be random with one coot leading the group. I still have not determined if eagles like to go after them on land or in the water. It is a different type of hunt. I am focusing on their food source not on searching out eagles. Thus, in the early morning, I park where the coots are, not where I can see an eagle.

Yesterday I was able to film a juvenile eagle circling a group of coots hidden from me by a finger of land between us. So, the video is not close to the eagle and the coots are hidden. It is a start however. I guarantee, that the eagles often unseen by me even with 10 power binoculars are around and have lots of coots in view from high perches along the lakeshore. Patience. Patience. Patience.

    

I posted a new video yesterday of a mature bald eagle capturing a coot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWDhgfuUZk0&t=233s

Reflecting On The Sports Watch and Wilderness Navigation

Dale Matson

Back in the day, I wore an Altitude/Barometer/Compass (ABC) watch by Suunto. This was a dependable backwoods companion. I eventually gave it to my younger son. The plastic case was partially melted by 100% Deet overspray. At that time the basic GPS device was available but there were no internal maps so a paper map was essential.

Later, I backpacked with an individual who used only an ABC watch and a Topo map exclusively even when off trail. He was confident and skilled (I am not). At that time, I had added the Garmin 60csx (which is still a great GPS but no longer supported by Garmin). It utilized a detailed 24K memory chip for my area (CA). Where I had an advantage over my friend was the ability to determine how far we were to the next water source or point of interest indicated on a paper map. It also provided, based on average speed, time estimates to destinations.

As I traveled more by myself off trail hiking and backpacking, I felt the need to add a Satellite Phone for possible emergencies. Global Star worked until their satellites began to fail. I then went to Iridium. I began to think more about backup in terms of navigation if my GPS malfunctioned or the batteries died. Suunto came out with the GPS watch which provided exact GPS locations, heart rate and track back/find back features. In a sense, I had a 2^nd GPS device without the maps. The subsequent Ambits (2 and 3) added performance features for fitness training. I keep a daily eye on my “steps” count.

One nagging problem was a need for a chest strap for heart rate data to ensure I kept my HR at a reasonable limit. Previously, I used one for training for marathons, Triathlons and ultra-marathons but not on hikes and backpacking. This became important after a diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This is where Garmin set the standard with wrist-based heart rate data which no longer required a chest strap. I recently bought a used Garmin Fenix 3 HR and hope it will be accurate enough. If so, it will be much more convenient and include the same navigational options as the Ambit 3.

Another change is going to the Spot Gen 3 and selling my Satellite Phone. The annual minimum fee is now $700,00. I found my use did not justify this kind of money. As I think about it now, after my year is up with Spot (Globalstar), I will buy a Garmin inReach Explorer+ which combines a map GPS with two-way text communication (Iridium) for much less airtime cost than my Satellite phone and a smaller package.

The current Garmin Fenix 5 series watches all have map capabilities and would make a nicer package but I want to see if wrist HR technology will work for me. If so, I would probably get the Fenix 5X not a newer 5 plus watch.

What would I like to see in a future wilderness watch? I would like to see a “peak finder”, which is already available as a smart phone app. oxygen saturation level (already available in the 5 plus). I would also like to see a solar recharge feature instead of squeezing more battery life by sacrificing accuracy. I would love to have voice communication too, via satellite.

I am not that concerned about the social network, tunes, photos and connectivity with a smart phone. I am willing to accept the weight of my cameras and lenses. I want a stand-alone device that does not need connectivity with a smart phone for full functionality.

As I look back many years to my 50’s this is all quite a contrast to the basic trail running equipment of shorts, tee shirt, running shoes, hammer gel flask, water bottle and water purification pills.

    

Tamarack Ski With Sharon And Duke

Dale Matson

Click On Photographs To Enlarge

Tamarack Snow Park

This was our first C.C. Ski of the new snow season and Duke, our younger Airedale’s first ski in a few years. He was diagnosed with a thyroid condition and wasn’t suited to the trails till he was at a good energy level and proper weight. Because of limited snow last season, we did not ski at all.

His older sister Susie is too long in the tooth and arthritic to participate. She knew where we were headed and only lifted her head from her pillow. She did not protest as we left without her. Her spirit was wiling but her flesh was week. She has hundreds of trail miles under her belt in her 14 years however. Let’s just say she is retired from active duty. Here is a story about her adventures with me. https://midsierramusing.blogspot.com/2014/05/susie-airedale-my-trail-companion-part-i.html

Outbound we stopped in Shaver Lake to buy an annual snow park pass and some Maxie Glide for our skis. Tamarack Snow Park is about 15 miles further between Shaver and Huntington Lakes. Coyote Snow Park is another quarter mile further than Tamarack with no snowmobiles allowed on the trails. The Tamarack Snow Park is around 7,500’ in elevation and we skied about 3 miles. Sharon and I weren’t that steady on our feet either and limited our ski to about 1.5 hours. The snow was firm with a fresh 3-inch layer which made for decent skiing. Duke was active the entire time and didn’t need to lay down and cool off even with his winter coat. He went about 6 miles. The snow is deep enough off the trail that Duke didn’t do too much exploring.

We sat down on the edge of the trail for a noontime snack of trail mix. Ah yes, this is one of my favorite parts of the ski experience. Sharon, who is pretty smart about things managed to sit under a tree that was dripping snow melt from the last storm that was still overhead in the trees.

I feel so blessed that at our ages, we are still able to have the health and opportunity to do these kinds of things. I took the photos and brief video clips with the very portable Sony RXIR2.

Of course, part of our tradition is to stop at Norm Kato’s store and Deli and get snacks. I’s a “happening place”.

Photos Of Dale By Sharon

Shaver Lake