Month: December 2017

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH “THE DAREDEVIL”

Eagles, Tofino Birds, Tofino Eagles, Tofino Wildlife

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On my way out to camp, I passed through the Daredevil’s territory in Tsapee Narrows. He surprised me….as per usual with him.He flew in behind me suddenly & very close.He always comes in a threatening manner.Good thing I know him! I know it’s his way of playing.

He tried several times to make me stop & play but I was a man on a mission.I had to get into my camp site at high tide.I had no time to play.I apologized…….. he circled back to his perch tree.

Notice how the pupil in his shaded left eye is larger.

A TRANQUIL CHRISTMAS

Tofino Wildlife, Tranquil Inlet, Tranquil's Estuary

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I went up in Tranquil valley for some winter/Christmas camping.Decided to decorate a “wild” tree. A wild tree is anything that hasn’t been planted by a human.

I found this big old stump out on the flood area in the estuary. It looks like it may of been cut many a moon ago,leaving just the stump behind.Over the course of time the wood has decayed enough to produce a viable soil for plants & trees to find purchase.

Not sure what kind of tree this was but suspect a spruce as the needles pricked at my fingers.

A perfect spot to be sure but the light was crappy! It was all in shade.Some cloud came over to ruin my Christmas photo! Mother Nature delivered up a lump of coal,but it still has merit!

DECORATING THE TREE

Birds, Eagles, Tofino Birds, Tofino Eagles, Tofino Wildlife

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Both Romeo & Juliette look so festive beside their Christmas tree!

I found out from a friend that those berries are called “Cotoneaster”.She says birds do eat them but I’ve never seen Romeo or Juliette eating them.They just like the festive colours I bet!

STEALING AWAY

Eagles, Tofino Birds, Tofino Eagles, Tofino Wildlife

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Low tide was happening as I was heading out,so I thought I’d head up into Fortune Channel to look for any of my furry friends? The odds were against me but I had to check one last time……just in case?

Of course I ended up being correct unfortunately! I won’t be going back up into Fortune until next March.

I went by Tsapee Narrows on the way back but couldn’t see the Daredevil anywhere? I then went to visit Maggie but she was absent as well! By this time the light was being affected by a rather large cloud system moving in. I did see a thin opening near the horizon & decided to wait for the sun to appear.

I was delighted to find some great light when the sun came through.Both Romeo & Juliette had been waiting with me patiently!

The eagle above is one that I do not know.It took off with it’s prize (whatever that was?) after I spooked it.

GRICE BAY TRUMPETERS

Tofino Birds, Tofino Wildlife, Trumpeter Swans

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Because the Tranquil Trumpeters are back I thought I’d go down to the end of Grice bay  & check to see if those swans were back as well? Sure enough,they were there! There had to be over thirty! Of course nobody ever goes down there,so they can hear anyone coming literally a mile away!They have large wing spans,so it takes a greater amount of time to get into the air.

SOMEONES NOT GOING TO BED!

Bears, Tofino Bears, Tofino Wildlife, Tranquil Creek

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I was pleasantly surprised to find one of my furry friends still out & about! A record for me personally! I’ve never seen a bear out so late.I had to stand in the river to get these shots which made me visible.You can see it sniffing the air trying to figure out what I was? Once It spotted me,It stopped walking towards me,retreated & went into the forest.I knew it was going to come out behind me so I backtracked myself,got into my canoe & paddled over to the other side of the river & waited.

Sure enough It came out right were I had parked the canoe. It crossed the river & found a dead salmon! I was shocked that any dead salmon were still around! The heavy rains flush them out to the estuary!

He’ll be going to bed very soon!

ORCA TIDBITS

Harbour seal, Harbour Seal Haul Out, Tofino Wildlife

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When I shot this I didn’t know that there was a pod of Orcas in the area.You can bet that these guys wouldn’t be relaxing like this if those Orcas were swimming around!

There are two distinct groups of Orcas.One group eats animals like this (warm bloodied) & the other group eats only salmon.The “Transients” eat seals/sea lion while the “Residents” eat the salmon.

MAKING A KILL

Orcas, Sunset, Tofino Wildlife

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The adult female was making a kill of a Californian Sea Lion. They weigh in at 1/2 ton. The entire group shared in the meal.It would be like you inviting your poor hungry cousins over for Thanksgiving & watch them devour the Turkey in a few seconds.

The poor thing tried to keep it’s head above water but couldn’t & sank below.