May 4, 2023 - A delightful day full of Harbour Seals, Eagles, Gulls and Sea Lions!

Every day is a new adventure out in the Salish Sea - our routes change from trip to trip and we never know what we will encounter until we get out there and find it!

We spotted quite a few different species on May 4th, including curious Harbour Seals, majestic Steller sea lions, sleepy California sea lions, flocks of Bonaparte’s gulls, and a fan favourite - a beautiful Bald Eagle! Once on the brink of extinction, these majestic birds have made an epic comeback, and their story is one of resilience and successful conservation efforts.

Bald Eagles, known for their distinctive white heads and impressive wingspan, were once a common sight in North America. However, due to habitat loss, hunting, and pesticide use, their numbers began to dwindle in the 20th century. By the 1960s, there were only a few hundred Bald Eagles left in all of British Columbia.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of conservationists and wildlife organizations, the Bald Eagle population has made a remarkable recovery in recent decades. The use of pesticides like DDT was banned in the 1970s, which helped eliminate a significant threat to the birds. In addition, extensive habitat restoration efforts have helped create a more welcoming environment for these magnificent creatures.

Today, the population of Bald Eagles in British Columbia is estimated to be roughly 20,000, making it one of the largest populations of Bald Eagles in the world. The birds can be found throughout the province, with hotspots on Vancouver Island and the surrounding areas.

It’s important to note that our whales are wild and are not tagged, chipped or tracked - quite often we locate them with our own eyes with no previous knowledge of their location! This does mean that sometimes we do not come across them in our range, as was the case this tour. If we happen to be unable to find any whales during a tour, we provide our guests with vouchers to come out with us again for free. These vouchers do not have expiry dates or blackout periods - they can be used whenever is most convenient!

Today’s photos were taken by Marine Naturalists Vanessa Vereschahen and Andrea (Andi) Krabbe.

Harbour Seal lounging. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

Great camouflage! Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

Very relaxed. Can you spot the Sea Starts? Hint, they’re purple. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

Majestic Bald Eagle. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

Giving us the eye. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

We have take off! Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

Have a look at those large talons. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

Bald Eagle in flight. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

A Gull snacking on a Sea Star. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

Gull in flight. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

Bonaparte’s Gulls. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

The large male Stellar Sea Lion sure stands out! Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

Keep it down, I’m trying to sleep. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

A cuddle puddle of Stellar Sea Lions. Photo by Andrea (Andi) Krabbe.

Strike a pose. Photo by Andrea (Andi) Krabbe.

What are we yelling about? Photo by Andrea (Andi) Krabbe.

Going in for a dip. Photo by Andrea (Andi) Krabbe.

Cormorants at the Gabriola Bluffs. Photo by Andrea (Andi) Krabbe.

Snow-topped Coastal Mountains. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

Gabriola Bluffs. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

The stunning Gabriola Buffs. Photo by Vanessa Vereschahen.

Jilann LechnerMay 4, 2023Comment