March 16th - So many pinnipeds!
An early morning report off the Sunshine Coast had our staff in high hopes as our semi-covered boat, Kula, and our zodiac, Keta, departed the harbour heading East across the Strait of Georgia. While Kula made a stop at Entrance Island to see some Harbour seals lounging on the rocks before making their way towards Gibson, Keta traveled a bit further north making their way towards Sechelt.
Once they reached the shores of the mainland Keta began her trip south along the shore line while Kula scanned heading north, while the office staff kept watch on the sightings pages for any updates.
The boats neared the White Islets south of Davis Bay with no signs of the whales. After stopping to watch the gathering of Stellar Sea Lions on the rocks they began scanning the shores again, heading back towards Howe Sound.
Keta tucked inside the Sound, hopeful that maybe we had missed the whales and they had snuck up the channel, while Kula made her way back across the Strait towards the South side of Gabriola Island. After a quick search Keta also began the trip back across the strait.
Stopping to see some more Harbour Seals at Saturnina Island is always great. Saturnina Island went up for sale nearly 2 years ago and was purchased last year by the BC Parks department as a wildlife sanctuary. This was amazing news to hear as Saturnina Island is a beautiful little spot teaming with wildlife. We often see our Harbour Seals hauled out here, basking in the sun and splashing in the waves. There are Great Blue Herons that frequent the sight as well as Bald Eagles, and one of our Naturalists and Captains even swears they saw a Golden Eagle there once. Having sites like this where animals can find sanctuary is incredibly important and we’re happy to see so many of these reserves popping up around as they provide excellent safe spaces for our beautiful wildlife.
After departing the seals on the rocks we headed through Gabriola Passage and around some of the smaller Gulf Islands, fingers crossed and still hopeful we would find some whales in the islands. After touring around we began the trip North through Dodd’s Narrows. We did have to stop and wait a while as the tug boats were pulling a large log boom through the Narrows. Once the way was clear, our boats made it through and stopped at Harmac to see the California Sea Lions lounging on the logs. They were pretty tired today but had quite the conversation with each other as we watched from the boats. We have to imagine it went something like “Hey Frank, those weirdos are back again. They just sit there, making noises and staring at us. Oh look, there they go again.”
It was sadly a no whale day today, but our guests were optimistic that their next trip would be whale filled. All our guests who don’t get to see whales leave with a voucher for a free trip, and we always love taking them out again as it makes that moment when we do find the whales that much better.
Photo by Beka Pirker.
Photo by Beka Pirker.
Photo by Beka Pirker.
Photo by Beka Pirker.
Photo by Beka Pirker.
Photo by Beka Pirker.
Photo by Beka Pirker.
Photo by Rebecca Stirling.
Photo by Rebecca Stirling.
Photo by Rebecca Stirling.