I?ve been lurking here for a while enjoying the great sightings and stories, but have never posted. However, I saw something this weekend that was a first for me and an observation I believe is worth sharing. Be forewarned, this is a predation story...

I spent the past few incredible summer-like days haunting the lonely shores of Cape Alava and Sand Point for a bit of solitude among the sounds of the sea. It?s such a restorative experience investigating Washington?s wild coast in time with the rhythm of the tides, one of the few places I know that is a true remnant of North America?s wild heritage. Not much matches drifting off to sleep lulled by the distant refrain of barking sea lions and waking to the piping courtship chorus of oystercatchers.

Anyway, as I whiled away the late afternoon spying on the rafts of sea otters bobbing in the kelp, I noticed an eagle cruising low over the surf, heading right in their direction. I didn?t think much of it until it wheeled around and plunged straight into the swells, emerging with a wriggling brown blob in its talons! It was quite a ways offshore so my view was limited, but then it headed straight for my position on the beach, passing low overhead before disappearing out of my sightline into the forest beyond. I am almost totally certain that it was clutching a wee otter pup! I got a pretty good look, but unfortunately my camera wasn?t at the ready. However, folks at the neighboring campsite later confirmed the sighting as they made the same observation. So despite being solo, I had some corroboration.

I never really thought about eagles preying on sea otters, but a quick Googling confirmed this is the case. And in the event you think this sighting was a product of a vivid imagination, I am a zoologist and have spent a fair bit of time around both eagles and otters. I had never heard of anyone observing this - have any of you?? It was quite memorable - for me and, no doubt, for the unfortunate otter mom! Although, I suppose, just another day for the eagle.

Karen Povey
Tacoma