Foraging, feasting, frolicking
As we head into the last weeks of August, days of rich abundance have come to our waters. Bait balls thick with millions of herring supply birds and salmon and whales alike with meal after meal. Everything converges as creatures great and small find their way into these waters to forage, feast and simply take delight in the extravagance of the moment. Today the sunlight was scattered like flakes of gold on a pale ocean, the water grey and blue like the myriads of mountains that rise up around us.
Passengers aboard the MV Seasmoke were amazed by the awesomeness of humpback whales as they surfaced and repeatedly breached. We watched as northern resident orca of the I4 and A50 clans travelled right through the foraging humpbacks in tight groupings. Stellar sea lions also made an appearance in the mix. All around us the beauty of nature astounded and delighted our senses.
Dall’s porpoises gathered around the boat to bow ride, and we were impressed with their speed and agility. Harbour seals watched us as we made our way past them. Kelp floated in the current, and the “old man’s beard” lichen (usnea lichen) gently swayed in the breeze off of shoreline trees. Red-necked phalarope by the thousands floated and flew around our boat, and other sea birds such as rhinoceros auklet, pigeon guillemot and common murre were all sighted.
What more can we ask for? We are so privileged to observe these waters on a daily basis at Seasmoke. We love bringing our guests out to experience the wonders and surprises that each day has in store.
