How to Shoot Wildlife Photography from a Kayak

Tips and Tricks for Capturing Bald Eagles and Better Around Channel Islands National Park

By Chuck Graham | June 9, 2022

CAPTURING CAVES & CREATURES: Nature works on its own schedule, so those wanting to take photographs from the seat of their kayaks should always be ready for the shot, whether it’s cruising through sea caves of Santa Cruz Island or capturing bald eagles on a cliffside. || Credit: Chuck Graham

As two seafaring bald eagles perched 50 feet above me on Santa Cruz Island, I battled with a persistent 15 mph northwest wind while attempting to maintain position in my kayak. I was searching for a suitable composition against the honeycombed cliffs to photograph this majestic keystone species of the Channel Islands National Park.

Using a rudder stroke in a sit-on-top kayak, I glided atop a canopy of giant bladder kelp and made like a sea otter to ease into position. I swung my right leg into the water and wrapped my leg in kelp, that natural anchor affording me the photo opportunity I was looking for beneath the sheer, volcanic, wave-battered cliffs. It was a unique backdrop only attained from the seat of a kayak.

The dense canopy of kelp also forced the wind to lie down, thwarting any sea spray from coating my camera and 300 mm image-stabilizing lens. It also allowed me to steady my kayak and limit any camera shake as I photographed the two raptors before they flew off to catch another fish or antagonize the nearby western gulls yet again.