Journeying through our coastal neighbourhood
The seas today were a slate grey, the skies bright but overcast. A touch of wind and a few drops of rain only served to add to the sense of adventure as we pulled away from the dock this morning. With the ocean moving beneath us and a brisk southeast wind cooling our faces, we set off for a taste of the natural wonders here in our Pacific Northwest neighbourhood.
We were fortunate to sight humpback whales this morning as they foraged and dove in Blackney Passage. Each time they dove beneath the waves, we saw their magnificent flukes. A humpback’s fluke is as unique to them as a fingerprint is to a human.
As we toured through the Pearse and Stephenson Islands, we enjoyed seeing the rocky landscape of the coast up close. A pair of eagles watched over their nest way up in a moss-covered tree, and below, harbour seals rested on rocks near the water’s edge. Historically (pre-1970s), harbour seals in British Columbia were hunted for their pelts and bounty. Although their populations decreased as a result, they have since made a comeback, for which we are grateful! Harbour seals feed on the many varieties of fish living in kelp beds and reefs, such as rockfish, greenling, perch, and flounder.
We landed at the dock after the tour thankful for the taste of the wild we experienced today.
