Monday, October 26, 2009
The Year in Review
From the Float House in Discovery Harbour Marina
May 17th - 2009
With an afternoon falling tide flowing to the north, we found this beautiful brown coated Black Bear on Sonora Island around 2:30 pm. He was spending the afternoon searching for small, soft shelled rock crab under the rocks at low tide. He actually laid down in a seasonal stream to cool off in the warmth of a sunny May afternoon. This was one of about 5 to 7 bears that we continued to see throughout the summer on Sonora. The "brown coat" of this Black bear that is seen mainly on the mainland bears is quite common on this island.
We continued toward the mainland to Jimmy Judd Island where we found a group of male Stellar Sea Lions hauled out on the shore. Migrating north to met up with the salmon, these large mammals have traditional resting areas on their way. Jimmy Judd Island is one such area. They will spend 2 or 3 days resting, feeding and arguing over who has the "best" rock on which to spend the day. Stellar Sea lions can weight as much as 2500 lbs. The fellow in the picture is estimated at around 1500+ lbs.
After coffee and snacks at Stuart Island we headed home through the narrow passages between Sonora, Maurelle and Quadra Islands and picked up a few Dall Porpoises feeding in the tide near Owen Bay. Back to the marina by 5 pm and the 4 hour tour seemed to go by very quickly!
More reviews of 2009 to come!
Take care
Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching
From the Float House in Discovery Harbour Marina
May 17th - 2009
With an afternoon falling tide flowing to the north, we found this beautiful brown coated Black Bear on Sonora Island around 2:30 pm. He was spending the afternoon searching for small, soft shelled rock crab under the rocks at low tide. He actually laid down in a seasonal stream to cool off in the warmth of a sunny May afternoon. This was one of about 5 to 7 bears that we continued to see throughout the summer on Sonora. The "brown coat" of this Black bear that is seen mainly on the mainland bears is quite common on this island.
We continued toward the mainland to Jimmy Judd Island where we found a group of male Stellar Sea Lions hauled out on the shore. Migrating north to met up with the salmon, these large mammals have traditional resting areas on their way. Jimmy Judd Island is one such area. They will spend 2 or 3 days resting, feeding and arguing over who has the "best" rock on which to spend the day. Stellar Sea lions can weight as much as 2500 lbs. The fellow in the picture is estimated at around 1500+ lbs.
After coffee and snacks at Stuart Island we headed home through the narrow passages between Sonora, Maurelle and Quadra Islands and picked up a few Dall Porpoises feeding in the tide near Owen Bay. Back to the marina by 5 pm and the 4 hour tour seemed to go by very quickly!
More reviews of 2009 to come!
Take care
Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching
Thursday, October 8, 2009
October 8th, 2009
Good morning from the Float House in Discovery Harbour Marina
The past few days have provided some excellent Grizzly Bear viewing at the Orford River in Bute Inlet. Sunny and warm for the most part, the last 3 days have produced a consistent number of bears (7 -10) feeding at towers 4 and 5. Each bear seems to have their own technique for catching fish, some far more successful than others. The picture attached is a middle aged male who we call the "Snorkeler" as he floats in the pool, finding his prey by looking under the water. (quite effective)
Yesterday our Grizzly tour had both Grizzlies and Orca as T20 and T21 (mammal hunting) were found traveling north at Race Point , just north of Campbell River. T20 made the day for our guests as he breached clear of the water just before we departed. We left them heading into Menzies Bay looking for a morning snack. On the way back from the Orford River, traveling south around Cape Mudge we ran into T20 and T21 again, difting in the tide near the Red Can.
Another few days before the wet weather begins. Hope you get out and enjoy the long weekend.
Cheers
Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching
Good morning from the Float House in Discovery Harbour Marina
The past few days have provided some excellent Grizzly Bear viewing at the Orford River in Bute Inlet. Sunny and warm for the most part, the last 3 days have produced a consistent number of bears (7 -10) feeding at towers 4 and 5. Each bear seems to have their own technique for catching fish, some far more successful than others. The picture attached is a middle aged male who we call the "Snorkeler" as he floats in the pool, finding his prey by looking under the water. (quite effective)
Yesterday our Grizzly tour had both Grizzlies and Orca as T20 and T21 (mammal hunting) were found traveling north at Race Point , just north of Campbell River. T20 made the day for our guests as he breached clear of the water just before we departed. We left them heading into Menzies Bay looking for a morning snack. On the way back from the Orford River, traveling south around Cape Mudge we ran into T20 and T21 again, difting in the tide near the Red Can.
Another few days before the wet weather begins. Hope you get out and enjoy the long weekend.
Cheers
Hurricane Jack
Campbell River Whale Watching
Monday, October 5, 2009
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