Victoria, BC

Hey everybody!

I am brand new here and very amateur in my photography efforts and knowledge! Here to learn everything that I can. Some real skilled photographers here.

I moved to Victoria, British Columbia on beautiful Vancouver Island 2+ years ago and have taken to Bald Eagle photography very recently. I am wondering if there is anybody who has an idea or two of a good place to get up close with some of these birds near Victoria? Maybe a bit of a noob-ish question...but it is what it is!

I shoot eagles with my ol' Rebel XT and my new purchase, the EF 70-300mm with IS.

Looking for a helping hand! Thanks, guys.

The "best" place near Victoria is seasonally dependent, when the chum are spawning Gold Creek at the foot of the Malahat you will find dozens of balds along the stream.

This time of year should find several dozen near Duncan at Cowichan Bay, run out to the Westham Truck rd along the west side of the bay. Walking the dike and river trails in this area should have plenty of eagles around, again if fish are in the river the numbers of birds will climb dramatically.

You might want to contact your local DFO office and find when and which rivers that you might find fish spawning, letting them know what you want to do will probably get you some good advice from one of enforcement officers or biologists. They are helpful and often as much interested in photography as you are. Also ask them about herring spawning, nothing like sitting on the beach on Denman Island for example and see a hundred plus balds, sea lions, seals and a Minke busting through millions of horny baitfish in a quarter mile bay.

If there is a lot of waterfowl around like Esquilmalt harbor/lagoon you should find a few eagles but you will see more going further from the big urban areas.

This should get you started, hope it helps. Good luck!

Wow, what a help! Thank you so much. I can't wait to try this new info out. Much appreciated