Encounter with Eagle

I alternated running around The Lake on The Trail with paddling around The Lake in my red Dancer Kayak this past Thanksgiving Weekend.  Friday, the air was still and fairly warm.  I carried the Dancer the 200 paces down the steep hill to The Lake in the late morning.  I began a swift paddle heading counterclockwise along the shore.  

The shore along Clear Lake is mostly overhanging fir, alder, and madrona.  I paddled from Canoe Landing, around the point and past the Owen’s place, into the dock guarded little bay next to Otter point.  Nice.

Rounding Otter Point I spotted some intriguing waterfowl.  They promptly flew off when I   entered Turtle Cove.  I stopped under some overhang and took a little break.   

The Lake was only slightly rippled by a very gentle breeze.  I paddled to the end of Clearwood Proper and made a beeline for the Log that juts out not far from the Blue Lake outflow.

I was feeling playful so I made a tight turn around The Log.  As I approached the South East shoreline I glanced up instantly focused on a large bird soaring in from the South at tree top level.  I quickly caught sight of a second Eagle gliding in at the same height and vector... maybe 400 meters to the West.  

The Two sailed over the Lake effortlessly... they seemed to be inspecting their domain.  I watched as each Eagle took perch on trees at opposite shores on the distant end of The Lake.  

The Eagle Sighting left me exhilarated, humbled, and comfortable.

Two days later, Sunday dawn was accompanied by strong winds and rainfall ranging in intensity from drizzle to downpour.  Fortunately, I have the gear and mindset to remain comfortable in inclement weather conditions while kayaking.  I geared up, hoisted the boat, and head on down the trail.  

A strong Southerly was was kicking up whitecaps.  The rain was not torrential, but blasted down in a respectful deluge.  No stretching and warmups out of the boat, I quickly snugged in to The Dancer.  I pushed off, did a couple of stretches, and set off at a determined pace with the wind toward Windy Beach.  

I was feeling froggy!   I paddled under the little foot bridge at full speed, did a backstroke turn, and zoomed out without missing a beat.  Nice.

At the far windward side of The Lake, Windy Beach was living up to its name.  As I approached the dock, the wind was to my starboard and I was paddling at a full and steady pace.   Suddenly, a family of Otters popped up right in front of me.  They looked as if having a short discussion about my presence there and just as suddenly disappeared down under.  I laughed out loud about this brief encounter.

Paddling on, I was now on a course almost directly in to the wind.  Exhilarating.  This was going to be the most intense section to paddle today.  Maybe 2 or 3 hundred meters on this course just off the shoreline I saw a flash of white seemingly fall from the treetops.  In a matter of microseconds, I saw the deep black and recognized Eagle.  Just as instantly, Eagle’s fall changed into a beautiful and graceful swoop upward and into the wind.  I watched as Eagle made slow powerful flaps toward a tree far on the Lake’s lee side.

Me, a man often devoid of deep spiritual feelings felt a tug of tranquil power.