March 24, 2024 - Foggy Adventures to the north
It was a spooky fog-filled day today as we left the dock. We started our adventure heading northwards along the mainland. After crossing the Strait of Georgia, the fog began to lift and the sun finally emerged.
After feeling chilly from the fog, the warmth from the sunshine was a welcome change! We decided to warm up while watching a lone steller sea lion and seagull perched up on the rocks. The gull was doing its best snake impression as it attempted to swallow a sea star whole. Gulls are scavengers and typically are not very picky with what they choose to devour, but it can always be a little concerning watching them eat food as big as their own body!
After departing those two we continued on our way. We ventured alongside Lasqueti Island where we saw some unfamiliar faces - sheep were grazing along the rocky coast of the island! This was the first time we had seen these fuzzy friends on our tours, but apparently, the sheep have been a part of Lasquesti’s history for potentially hundreds of years! It isn’t entirely clear how this feral population of sheep started. Some believe the sheep first appeared back in the 1800s when they were raised for mutton to be sold in Nanaimo’s meat markets. These sheep may have broken out of their pens, leading to the start of the feral population. While their origins are unclear, this feral sheep population is now booming, with an estimated population of 300 to 1000 individuals.
Lasquesti’s feral sheep can be a very dividing topic. Unfortunately, as sheep are herbivores, their grazing tendencies have caused a decline in the diversity of local plant species. This has led to concern over the long-term sustainability of the sheep population vs. the local flora and fauna. At present, the sheep still roam freely, an adorable addition to the little island.
After leaving the sheep behind, we continued our search north near Texada Island. We spotted a bald eagle with a beautiful foggy backdrop, and we had to take a quick break to snap some photos! After leaving our eagle behind we turned and headed towards Hornby Island.
As we started our journey back south, we made another pitstop to see a larger group of sea lions snoozing and roaring away. This large group was much more active and vocal than the solo male we saw at the start of the trip. Many of them were roaring and shoving each other as they fought for the best spots to snooze on the rocks. As we started to see Nanaimo we received a vague report of possible orca around Gabriola Island, so we dashed over and searched for them, but to no avail.
Unfortunately, we weren't able to locate any whales today - but we did get to enjoy the coastal beauty of Vancouver Island! All guests from today’s tour received vouchers to come out on another trip with us at their convenience.
Photos taken by Marine Naturalist Aly Kohlman.
This gull was happily swallowing a massive sea star!
A large male Steller sea lion side-eyeing the snacking gull.
Look at the size of those whiskers!
So sleepy.
A pair of Black oystercatchers.
A first for us - a rare sighting of a Lasqueti sheep!
Grazing away.
A Bald Eagle perched, with a classic West Coast foggy backdrop behind it.
A cuddle puddle of sea lions.
Someone looks a little startled!
One of the large males roaring from atop the rocks.
It’s not always tranquil when this many sea lions gather together - scuffles happen regularly.