I love mornings at the Great Bridge Locks, especially in the winter when the air is crisp and the wildlife is active. I headed out early with my Nikon Z9 and the Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5–5.6 S lens, hoping to catch some local birdlife—and the Locks didn’t disappoint.
I didn’t arrive until almost 10am, much later than I would have liked. But almost immediately, I spotted a immature Bald Eagle flying over the water. It was looking for a late breakfast, right in front of a squadron of Brown Pelicans. There’s nothing quite like locking focus on an eagle in flight—the grace, the wingspan, the power.
Soon after, I was able to capture that same eagle as it took off from a tree branch above me. I then walked to the point of the Great Bridge Locks and was able to spot four more juvenile Bald Eagles across the canal from me.
After this, I grabbed some images from several Brown Pelicans as they flew by.
Whether perched, soaring, or diving, both species offered up a blend of elegance and raw nature that’s always a thrill to witness—and photograph. The Locks remain one of my favorite local spots to capture wildlife, especially on quiet weekday mornings when the traffic is light and the birds are undisturbed.
