Santa Barbara County Cachuma Lake park naturalist Liz Gaspar knows that when she undocks The Osprey and embarks on another wildlife or eagle cruise, there’s no telling what she and her passengers may see. The puttering pontoon boat can float 30 passengers across the lake’s calm waters and into a myriad channels and bends, all of which offer a clear sight of the shoreline, and the perfect vantage point for various forms of wildlife.
But there is no telling what kind of creature may be spotted, though it’s safe to say there will be plenty of coots, grebes, loons, ducks, and geese to gander at. Though they don’t travel in flocks, a number of protected eagles call Cachuma Lake home, including at least one nesting pair of bald eagles. There is never a guarantee that a bald or golden eagle will be sighted, but they are unmistakable when seen, Gaspar explained.
“We have seen a handful of eagles, and they have places they like to roost,” she said. “They are creatures of habit, and they have favorite roosting sites, and these places are really important to them.”
The eagles choose a perch that allows them a wide, panoramic view of several different kinds of habitat, Gaspar explained. The long mud flats exposed by the drought have given birth to new marshland leading up to the water line. A plethora of creatures search the marsh for food, all under the careful eye of the eagles.
Golden eagles are more predatory than the bald, and will often go after the small water birds found in the marsh and on the water, Gaspar explained, while the bald will capture fish or intimidate other predatory birds into relinquishing their kills.
“Osprey are really great hunters—they crash into the water like a pelican, and bald eagles watch that,” she said. “In my experience here in the winter, when we see an eagle flying over the water, not soaring, but beating their wings and flying fast, they are usually in chase with an osprey.”
Some of these amazing behaviors are caught by the quick lens-work of eagle cruise attendees. Gaspar turns off the boat engine often, which annoys the wildlife less, and steadies the vessel more, allowing photographers to get clear shots of the creatures. Even though birds like the eagles enjoy their usual haunts, there is no telling where they could be seen on any given day.
A recent cruise rounded a corner and provided a 15-minute long, unobstructed view of a golden eagle perched atop a stump, eating a coot, Gaspar explained. Coots are playfully called “eagle food” by park naturalists, as they are often preyed upon by the golden eagle. The predator and prey offered a worthy subject for visiting photographer Jim Borrebach from Mansfield, Mass., who snagged a photo of a golden eagle munching on its prey.
“I always say two things,” Gaspar said. “Every trip is different, and nature will always surprise you.”
Assistant park naturalist Rosey Bishop also leads some of the cruises, and between her and Gaspar, many kinds of animals have been spied during this eagle season alone. Mature and immature bald eagles have been spotted, along with other birds like golden eagles, pelicans, peregrine falcons, harriers, and others. Mammals in the Los Padres also include mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, and bear.
“The benefit of going out with Rosey and I is we know where to go and catch most of the action, but really, anything could happen anywhere,” Gaspar said. “Part of it is being trained by the animals, and part of it is sheer luck.”
Hit the lake
Cachuma Lake eagle cruises happen through February on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon and Friday and Saturday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. at Cachuma Lake, Highway 154, Santa Ynez. Cost is $15, $7 for children, $10 parking fee. More info: 568-2460.
Arts Editor Joe Payne is feeling lucky. Contact him at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jan 1-8, 2015.