This week Anne Sandler of Slow Shutter Speed asks us to “share a passion, hobby or life experience that helped direct your life’s passion.” When Covid 19 was declared a global pandemic five years ago this week, life changed. As it happened, my husband Creighton and I were at our condominium in Long Beach with beloved beagle Jello, when Washington State’s governor Jay Inslee, issued a stay in place directive on March 17th, 2020. We had a day or so to decide whether to stay at the beach, or head back to our home in Vancouver, WA. After checking the infection and death rate data from both Clark and Pacific counties we chose to stay right where we were, in Pacific County.
Human activity on Long Beach was steady. Visitors walked and bicycled, made sculptures out of beach materials, vehicles drove at 25 mph along the beach which is a legal highway, families enjoyed clamming and recreating, and younger folks partied into the night. All of that came to an end on March 17, 2020. Vehicles were prohibited from driving the beach, hospitality businesses closed their doors, and Long Beach was like a ghost town.
Every day Jello and I would take morning and afternoon walks to the now deserted beach. The absence of vehicles was a pleasant change, and though I would see people now and then, they were few and far between. The other life change I began to notice was a significant increase in Bald Eagle activity. From mid-March through the end of May, I was in the company of several Bald Eagles; individuals and pairs. Wind and tide had washed two big snags onto the beach and they were favorite Eagle perches.
After a while, an adult pair became accustomed to seeing Jello and me on our rambles, and did not startle when we were about.
Bald Eagles in different stages of maturity showed up, hung around and departed.
By the end of May, 2020 a vaccine had been developed for Covid 19, the beach was re-opened to vehicles and residents and visitors returned. To my dismay, within a day or two, both Eagle perches had been chain-sawed into firewood, and the stumps were all that was left.
Soon after, the Bald Eagles wisely retreated to more protected places, and our time of peaceful co-existence ended. To this day, I feel privileged and blessed to have had those few weeks to walk among them.
Lindy Low LeCoq 
What a bittersweet post. Sometimes I think the world should belong to the other creatures. The book and TV series “The World Without Us,” gives us an idea of how the world would flourish without humans.
This sweet earth went on without us before, and will go on without us after we consume ourselves to extinction. I’ll look up that TV series – sounds like one I would enjoy!
It’s too bad that a pandemic allowed you and the eagles to share a beach and time together. Your pictures are fantastic. And, you have wonderful memories of having the beach more or less to yourself and the bald eagles.
Thank you, Anne. It was a very trying time for everyone. Being in nature, in a lovely place with my hubby and beagle made it tolerable for me. I was very lucky.
😍
Great eagles photos, for whatever reason. Well done.
Thank you, John. Hope you are healing well.
I’m fine. Old picture. 🤷♂️
What a beautiful post Lindy! Funny (and not) how the twists of life can bring some of our richest treasures. Love you always.
So true sister. Those were such trying times and I was very lucky to have had this place of refuge for those few months.
Lindy, what a story you have to think about those trying days. You found beauty and was allowed to be a part of it all. It was wonderful that the eagles grew accustomed to you and Jello. Great post and photos!
Thank you, Egídio. In the middle of a most trying time, I was lucky to be in a place of refuge. I still see Bald Eagles sometimes, but nothing like those few months!
Life-time treasures.
It is hard to recall those troubled times…all very strange, and i know for some very traumatic. But for many, it was a reality check and the development of a new way of life for humans and wildlife. Some changes that are still with us. My biggest memory is of clear blue skies, no vapour trails and calm. And yes, wildlife became, for a while, more trusting
Yes, David those were very trying times. How lucky I was to be in such a beautiful place of refuge, with my hubby and my beagle!
Those days were precious for wildlife everywhere – and you had the wonderful chance to come really close. I loved reading this and remembered your bald eagle photos very well. Not all of us get the opportunity to come that close and earn some confidence from such majestic birds. I always love your photos.
Thank you, Leya. I was so lucky to be in a beautiful place of refuge with my hubby and beagle during those trying months. It was amazing to realize that the Eagles had accepted my presence in their space. Quite a revelation!
♥
Lindy, what a beautiful post. I can feel the peace of walking on the quiet beach. Your bald eagle experience is amazing and your photos are fabulous.
Thank you, Beth. I was so lucky to be in a beautiful place of refuge with my hubby and beagle during those trying months. So glad you enjoy the story and photos!
What a special time you shared with these bald eagles Lindy. It’s lovely how peacefully we can live side by side when nature is respected 💚
So true, Xenia! In such trying times, I was fortunate to be in a tranquil refuge with my hubby and beagle.
Fabulous photos! Love these eagle captures.