I was a bit “on the fence” about making a post about viewing Bald Eagles at Big Beef Creek as the eagles in Seabeck draw quite a few photographers every year and it can get a bit crowded at times.
Table of Contents
Late May and Early June on the shores of Big Beef Creek in Seabeck, 1 you can find an interesting species. It has a long snout, and often has five legs, though sometimes two or three. Some of them are known to make a quick clicking noise when nearby birds make even the most minute of gestures. They look like this:
I cannot complain, as I have been among their number, and likely will be again this year.
Viewing Bald Eagles in Seabeck
Avius photographicus is attracted here by the presence of another species: the bald eagle
The bald eagle (haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a large bird of... which considers Big Beef Creek this time of year to be a place for good eatin’, especially on a morning low tide.
Both time of day and the tides are important considerations if you want to see eagles here. Watch the tide charts for low tides occurring in the morning — the lower the tide, the better. I passed the area one day on a drizzly high tide morning and there was a lone photographer there who wasn’t seeing much action.
Bring your binoculars or a long lens — the eagles generally stay far out and keep their distance. Keep yours so as not to bother them — and because trying to get closer is generally futile. I overheard one onlooker ask a photographer, “Why don’t you go get closer.” Answer? “They’ll just move.” True.
Photographers flock to this area because, of course, the presence, in a single location, of multiple eagles actively hunting for food. And there’s much potential for interactions between birds, which make for interesting photos. Last year, one online photographer noted, “It’s that Seabeck time again.”
Typically, along with the eagles, you’ll find some other birds, great blue herons, ducks and geese, and interlopers like the one below:
I’ve also seen hawks and smaller birds around the area.
Last year, numbers of bald eagles on my visits varied from 6-8 at a time. I understand that, recently, numbers of the eagles in this spot have dwindled from years’ past.
Where to view bald eagles at Big Beef Creek
The area is not hard to find. Just look for all the cars and photographers. Most photographers choose to climb down a small retaining wall to the shore as it’s easier to get more level shots with the birds. Others sit up on the ledge near their cars.
Below is a static map. You can click here or on the map image below to access the interactive map.
If you would like to add a location of a favorite place to view bald eagles, you can do so here (you must be registered and logged in). To view a map of any bald eagle locations added by visitors, you can click here.
Bald Eagles at Big Beef Creek Photo Gallery
Photos from this website taken at Big Beef Creek in Seabeck, WA.
Footnotes
- Here’s the Kitsap County page about Seabeck.[↩]
