THE No. 61
BEACON Shedding light on the communities from Lions Bay to Dundarave
March/April 2024
The bald eagle, aviation master
S
can the tops of the tallest trees near aquatic habitats in coastal BC and you’re bound to spot a bald eagle or two. Bald eagles are one of the largest and most powerful birds in North America, and they are known for ruling the skies as an apex predator. Bald eagles have mastered the art of aviation. Using thermal air currents, they can reach soaring speeds of up to 70 kilometres an hour. When it comes to diving, they move twice as fast, plummeting up to 160 kilometres per hour. We tend to spot them when they are coasting low, but they can reach heights of up to 10,000 feet. If a bald eagle loses a feather from one wing, it will shed a feather on the other side to maintain its balance in flight. The flight technique and precision is impeccable. Excerpted with permission from Spirit of the West Adventures. The West Vancouver Memorial Library is exhibiting exceptional photographs of our local eagles until April 11. Page 5 features an article on the North Shore eagle monitoring program. For further information and if you would like to help, please contact Sally McDermott at mcjeffery@telus.net.
IN THIS ISSUE 2
OPINION
A pair of eagles glides within the thermal.
KNOWING OUR NEIGHBOURS
COMMUNITY KIDS
Photo: courtesy of Kathleen McCormick
COMMUNITY PERSONALITY
THE LONDONERS
WEST VANCOUVER STORIES
11
PG
8-9
PG
7
PG
PG
PG
5
2024 We are grateful to live and work on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples. Edited by LINDY PFEIL
6 0 4 . 3 1 5 . 26 4 5 | KimTaylo rHo mes.co m Your Realtor for Life.