Santa Barbara County Naturalist Rosey Bishop remembers the first time she witnessed a bald eagle spread its mighty wings and soar across a powder blue sky.
Despite the fact she grew up in Santa Barbara—not far from the Bald Eagle territory of Cachuma Lake—she was all of 25 years old. Now, after three years of working at Cachuma Lake and leading weekly nature cruises, Bishop witnesses more breathtaking Bald Eagle sightings in a single winter season than she did during the first half of her life. The naturalist now works to educate a whole new generation.
“When people ask me about the type of wildlife I see at Cachuma Lake, they are often surprised to hear that the bald eagle is on the list,” Bishop said, adding that a pair of bald eagles actually calls Lake Cachuma home year-round.
Bird watchers and wilderness seekers aren’t just flocking to the lake to see this time-honored pair of birds. Eagle season has commenced at the lake, which started back in November and rolls through February. During this special window, migratory juvenile eagles pass through the area, spurring the resident eagles to defend their territory.
It’s quite a sight to behold, an experience that requires slowing down, unplugging the iPhone, and looking skyward while drifting on a quiet boat. The lake waters may be on the low side (14.5 percent capacity), but Bishop is still offering weekly two-hour guided Eagle Cruises.
“I have seen as many as eight different eagles during one cruise,” Bishop said. “Lately, eagle sightings are on a weekly basis. There are occasional cruises during eagle season where eagles are nowhere in sight, but that is what the wild is all about.”
Tour-goers need not worry if this is the case: Plenty of wildlife thrives in the wilds of Cachuma Lake, and simply being in the habitat imparts an uplifting feeling.
“The habitat is free and natural; there is no place we keep the eagles; no call we can make to beckon them, and no scheduled daily feeding we can plan to view,” Bishop said. “The wilderness of Cachuma Lake is their home and they live by their own rules and routines. Whether perched in a towering oak tree, soaring remarkably high in the vibrant valley sky, or plummeting into water in a hunt, sightings are always authentic and wonderful.”
Waterfowl from as far north as Alaska have also begun to make their way down the Pacific Flyway in search of winter sanctuary at the watery habitat. In addition to commonly seen mallards, herons, and grebes, Bishop has begun to see a range of seasonal visitors large and small.
“Osprey, also known as ‘fish eagles,’ perch in trees and hunt for fish above the lake, at times crashing into the water to grasp fish with their impressive talons,” Bishop said. “White pelicans are another favorable sight for boat passengers, who are always delighted when a pod gracefully soars by, their movements all in unison.”
Other recent bird sightings include belted kingfishers, peregrine falcons, American kestrels, red-tailed hawks, northern flickers, northern harriers, buffleheads, wood ducks, teals, mergansers, and more. Of course, the bald eagles tend to steal the show.
With their massive wingspan—which can reach more than 7 feet—and striking white heads, the birds are visually stunning. Once on the brink of extinction due to loss of habitat, shooting, and DDT poisoning, bald eagles are recouping their numbers.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are estimations of at least 9,789 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 states.
“It’s amazing watching them fly around, to see them on a daily basis, to see what they’re doing, and how they’ve been effected by the drought,” Bishop said. “Just like with humans, different temperatures and changes in habitat affect their lives in a big way.”
Bishop said monitoring the wildlife isn’t just a job—it’s a passion and a dream come true. Watching the ebb and flow of nature is satisfying work, indeed.
“I really enjoy taking people on that journey with me,” Bishop said. “The eagle sightings are always unpredictable, and just getting an up-close view of them is incredible, allowing people to really open their eyes to the world around them.”
Contributor Hayley Thomas is wearing her most patriotic eagle shirt. Contact her at hthomas@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Jan 7-14, 2016.