Category: Fish Farm

THE “HARVEST KING” COMING BACK IN

Fish Farm

20150218-IMG_0483It was suppose to be a poor day today for weather but turned out much better than expected………or so I thought?
I headed out & decided to hang around near Tofino. I went down to Tsapee Narrows. No sooner had I gotten there when I noticed a large cloud system moving in from the west! I knew instantly that the light was going to go bye bye! It happens sometimes. I head out & the light gets snuffed!
I took a few shots of the Daredevil & Delilah. I saw that big shadow creeping eastward towards me & knew I didn’t have much time! I took what I could & once that shadow reached me at Tsapee, I headed back to town.
I had taken my gas can along to get refilled. I was pulling into the local marina when I noticed a Blue Heron close by. I shut the engine off & used the parked boats as cover to sneak up. It worked! As long as I didn’t move when it saw me,I was ok. When the Heron sees no movement,it figures I’m no threat & continues searching for food.
The light was poor when I took those shots. You can see how the colours don’t stand out.
Once filled up,I came back in. Short shoot today! Spent more time putting the boat/gear & taking it back out than shooting.
It happens. Always great to get out!

THE “HARVEST KING”

Fish Farm, Harvest King

20131024-IMG_975620131024-IMG_9765I got out much later than what I would of preferred! Had to work.
Having said that,I did get out & went up into Fortune Channel looking for bears. Tranquil was out of the question today because of me leaving so late! I also knew that finding a bear would be tough! It was high tide! When the tide is high,the bears cannot get at the rocks!Tiny Rock Crabs are hiding under them!
I haven’t been up in Fortune for awhile actually. I’ve been busy going down to Tranquil. Tomorrow,I’ll do Tranquil.
As expected……….no Bo Bo’s tonight! Headed back to Tofino. I stopped off at Tsapee to visit with the Daredevil & Delilah. Delilah was around but the Daredevil wasn’t! I haven’t seen him in awhile & am getting worried. It’s not like him? Maybe tomorrow?
Said goodnight to Delilah,she wasn’t in the mood to party!
Went over to Morpheus Island to visit with Moe & Maggie. Maggie was home,but Moe was absent!
I’m beginning to wonder if the boys were all out on the town! Maggie has always had a smile for me,unlike Delilah. She’s a bit distant!
Took some great shots of Maggie coming in with Meares island as a beautiful backdrop! Said goodnight to her & went on to visit with Romeo & Juliette.
I was very happy to see both Romeo & Juliette flying over to greet me!! Having Romeo greet me is always fantastic but having them both fly over to greet me is just pure magic!
Spent some quality sunset time with my buddy Romeo! He really is the KING of eagles. Nobody messes with Romeo!

I did get out later than normal & found no bears,but it’s always an adventure getting out in the wilds of Tofino folks!

“PACIFIC SPRAY” HEADING OUT

Boat, Fish Farm, Fishing Boat

20130506-IMG_1645The “Pacific Spray” was heading to harvest Atlantic Salmon at one of Mainstreams fish farms.
The Spray normally goes around Meares on it’s west side,but they were heading around to the east side of Meares. Which meant only one thing. They are heading to harvest at their Fortune Channel site. They just installed a new farm system at Plover Pt. The fish wouldn’t be ready for harvest yet,so the only other farm close by is the Fortune Channel site.

THE “TAMANAWAS”

Fish Farm, Fishing Boat

20130414-IMG_9125I missed the Atlin Post coming into the harbour with Strathcona’s mountains in behind,but not the “Tamanawas”.
I saw the “Tamanawas” coming into the harbour & just waited for her to enter into my already chosen spot. She must of just harvested Salmon at one of Creative Salmon’s farms.

SMOLT RUN

Cats Face, Fish Farm, Harbour, Lone Cone, Snow

20130223-IMG_5940This is a Smolt barge heading out to one of Mainstream’s fish farms.Those white tanks contain thousands of tiny Atlantic salmon. This boat (The Go-Getter) will tow this barge out to a farm & the fish will than be emptied into a empty net pen.I forget how long they take to come to production size,but it is quicker than Chinook.

THE “PACIFIC SPRAY” HEADING OUT

Fish Farm, Pacific Spray

The wind was down today so I was able to get out! The last two days had strong westerly’s!
The tide was high as well,so I already knew that the number of bears out & about would be reduced considerably! Having said that,I did come across three!
A Sow/cub (Maw & Chubby),& a single adult!
I found “Maw” & “Chubby” in Fortune Channel & that other single bear in Gunner Inlet. The sun has shifted much further south! When I left Fortune Channel to go over into Gunner Inlet,I could clearly see several klicks away that it was already in shade! There is a ridge to the SW of Gunner that is now blocking the light when the sun gets low! I’ll have to go into Gunner first from now on.
I returned into the harbour for sunset & noticed that there were few clouds for the sunset. I went to Deadman Island to visit with Romeo & was surprised to find Juliette!! She & Romeo did fly over to greet me! however,that was it for Juliette’s greetings for the night. She just sat in the tree watching Romeo & I.
Spent some quality time with them both at any rate! The sun set & said goodnight to them both.
A good night’s shoot!

The “Pacific Spray” was heading out to do a harvest. It’s the harvest boat used by “Mainstream” at their fish farms.

SMOLT BARGE HEADING OUT FROM “McCALL’S” FISH FARM

Fish Farm, Tug Boats

I saw this barge heading out when I was in town earlier. Those white tanks “use” to contain smolts. They were dumped already at Creative Salmon’s fish farm,McCall’s. The Chinook smolts would only be 7 or 8 grams.
A large hose is attached to the bottom of each tank & a valve is opened to release them into a pen. They will be feed what is called “Crumble”. Which is simply small feed pellets. They will grow to their full size in about 18 months or so & than harvested for market.

THE “TAMANAWAS”

Fish Farm

I measured the distance on a map from where I first saw the “Tamanawas” coming around Aseuth Point. I was 2000 meters away & yet I could easily tell she was heavily loaded down! The boat was kicking up a good bow wave,so I knew instantly that she must of just harvested a pen of fish & was heading back into town to unload!
The Tamanawas is the harvesting boat for Creative Salmon.

The light came today & so, I was called by Mother Nature to come out & play! Which I did with relish of course! I heard a Whale watching boat went down to Cannery to visit with the Lions? When I heard this I told the person that the Lions had left late February & Cannery should be vacant!
Well,what do I know eh? When one of these Zodiac drivers go somewhere they have a reason & know more about whats going on than me.
So I headed down to Cannery to check & see If the Lions had come back………………….& they hadn’t!
There were no Lions in Cannery!! I strongly suspected that I would find none home. These drivers have just started thier season. I’ve been out there all winter! I’m out there all year actually!
I tied up to the float & had my hot soup & ham sandwich! Always really sweet to have lunch outdoors.
I finished & headed back in. I stopped by Rob’s place at Gunner for tea & a chat. I’m very jealous of his lifestyle! He lives in a floathouse & lives the kind of life I dream of!
I said bye to Rob & went to Tsapee Narrows to visit with the Daredevil & Delilah. They both were active.
I continued on to Moe & Maggie’s place. I got a series of rare shots with both of them in the same frame! I was pleasantly surprised!!
I moved onto Romeo & Juliette at Deadman. Now,they are always a treat & tonight was no exception.
I got shots of a Gull snapping up a fish in their territory. Romeo would have none of this! He promptly set upon this Gull & you can see the poor Gull realizing it’s mistake. He literally crapped his pants & will remember his run in with Romeo! Romeo grabbed the fish & flew up with it.
He promptly dropped that fish as well & the Gull actually made a second effort to get it,but realized what it was about to do & decided valor was a better choice!
Another great day out in the wilds of Tofino folks!

THE TUG BOAT “SERVICE IX” WITH BARGE

Fish Farm, Tug Boats

Not sure what these boys were doing down Tofino Inlet?
This is “Mainstreams” barge. The tug is contracted & not owned by Mainstream. Mainstream does not have any farms down Tofino Inlet.
Only “Creative Salmon” has farms down there.
Looks like they had several large fuel containers on board.I bet they were coming from Rankin Cove? A logging company (Coulson) is in the process of moving their operations out of there & maybe these large green containers are from there?

The “Harvest King”

Fish Farm

I got out today. It was one of those classic sunny winter days that I just long for!
I went straight down to Cannery Bay to check on my Lion friends. I took some tasty soup for lunch as well. I just shut the motor off & slowly drifted. I had my lunch with my friends. The loud barking they make was producing a echo from the surrounding hills! I would never camp down here when they are around! I would never get any sleep!
I finished lunch & took a few shots but couldn’t get close to them. There was 6 or 7 of them swimming,jumping about. Which is fine and dandy until one of them lands on top of me accidentally! They don’t seem to be aware of me being there when they are in the water playing. So I gave them some distance.
I contiued on & went over to Tranquil Inlet. I went up to the cove & just hung out looking around at all the beauty!
I stopped at Rankin Rocks on the way back out & found a flock of Dunlin’s. Cute little guys!
I than went to Tsapee Narrows to visit with the Dardevil & Delilah. Not much activity tonight.
I than went straight to Deadman Island because I could see that the light was about to go. I always like good light with Romeo & Juliette! I save the best for last!
They both were very active tonight & Romeo once again flew over to greet me! He landed on his rock & did a few chirps.
The Calendar says the full moon is tomorrow night but it looked pretty full tonight. The sun had set by the time it came over Meares Island,so I couldn’t use it. I’ll have to wait another month to be able to shoot it again.
I was constantly looking for either Salty or Pepper today,but to no avail I’m afraid. Wolfs are very elusive & Cougars are even more so! I have never seen a Cougar! Being a ambush predator they always are in camouflage mode. Very rarely do they show themselves.
Another outstanding day to be alive in Clayoquot Sound folks!

The “Harvest King”

Fish Farm, Harvest King, Snow, Tofino Inlet

The Harvest King is a cargo boat for Creative Salmon. A local Fish farm company.
The boat was coming from Indian Bay & going over to the Warne Island farm.
This shot shows how expansive the inlet actually is. Tofino Inlet goes several miles further down to Deer Bay.

Ocean King Harvesting

Fish Farm

This is one of Creative Salmon’s fish farms. It’s the Warne Island farm. Warne Island is located several miles east of Tofino down Tofino Inlet.
This boat is called the “Ocean King” and is doing a harvest.
The “Tamanawas” is the normal boat that does Creatives harvests,but it ran aground and the hull was damaged.
While the Tamanawas is away being repaired,the Ocean King has been hired to do the harvests.
NOTE- I shot this yesterday. Too many clouds today to take any shots.

WINTER SOLSTICE

Fish Farm, Harvest King

The winter solstice happened today!
The sun did come out and I also got out myself to take advantage of it,even though I didn’t think I was going to be able to when I woke up this morning?
I woke up around 4:30am today and checked the cloud cover. It showed a large cloud system moving in from the north! I was choked & disappointed!
However,by noon the cloud had thinned enough & I don’t need to be told twice!
I headed out and went straight down Tofino Inlet to the Lions. After arriving I was pleasantly surprised to find that their numbers had doubled in the span of only a few days! Today was the first day that I’ve seen them hauled out in areas other than the two rocks!
I saw two large groups of Lions just floating and laying still. They had their flippers & or tails out of the water! They were all trying to warm up while hanging out.

The clouds started to move in and snuffed the light. So I decided to head back into town. I wanted to visit with some of my feathered friends.
I went to Deadman Island to visit Romeo & Juliette. Romeo saw and intercepted me unexpectedly! He circled in behind me and went straight for the island to await my arrival! He does that sometimes? I love it when he does it!
I sat there and had a snack while watching them and the Solstice sunset. Tomorrow is going to be 5 seconds longer. The Solstice happened at 9:30pm Pacific Time.
As always,……..It was another great adventure out in the wilds of Tofino!

This is the “Harvest King” leaving Creative Salmon’s Warne Island Fish Farm. It’s the cargo boat for Creative Salmon’s farms.

Harvest Moon!

Fish Farm, Moon

This is the “Harvest King”. She was leaving the harbour early in the morning with the full moon setting in the West.

I got out twice today! Whenever the moon is setting,I always get out”IF” I can? I did the early morning shoot with the setting moon and also the normal afternoon’s shoot as well!
The moon is setting so far north that I couldn’t line up the Lighthouse with it! I could line them up if I went out in my boat,but thats just plain dangerous!
I would have to go out before sunrise in the dark and the ocean at this time of year isn’t exactly calm.
I settled for a harbour shoot hoping that something of interest would wander by?
The moon set and I got ready for the afternoon’s shoot down the Inlet.
I went to see what the Lions were up to and once again,there were no Lions! They must be off eating while the tide was high? Or they are further down the inlet? I am going to go down to Deer bay to check things out. Deer Bay is at the very end of Tofino Inlet. It’ll probably take me around 90 minutes just to get there. Thats 3 hours travel time alone! I do not do this very often as a result.
After being disappointed with no Lions out and about,I went back into town to visit with my finely feathered friends. The light was perfect and this time I was able to get back in time for the sunset! When the Lions are around ,I loose track of the time and always seem to stay too long with them! I end up missing the sunset!
Romeo and Juliette were not home which I found ODD! However,it appears that they are building a new nest in their old spot!
Their nest fell to the ground 2 years ago and they ended up building a nest in another tree. I didn’t like the location because I couldn’t see anything!
It would appear that they didn’t like it either and are building a new nest in the same spot as the old nest. Great news for me! I’ll be able to see them & their eaglets alot better!
All in all a busy day for me!

Bedwell Fish Farm

Fish Farm

This farm had no nets in the water. It might of been in “Fallow”?
Thats basically when they do not put any fish in for a length of time to allow the bottom to adjust.
When fish are fed,some of the pellets fall through the nets and go to the bottom. This feed accumulates and can alter the biology of the bottom.
This is why farms are allowed to go fallow for awhile. How long is awhile? Maybe a year?

The Tamanawas

Fish Farm

I managed to get out in the boat today. Went straight up into Fortune Channel looking for bears. The tide was right,but the bears didn’t think so! Cause they weren’t around! No Boo Boo’s tonight. I have no idea why? Sometimes it takes years to figure out patterns?
I than came back out of Fortune and went down Tofino Inlet to Cannery Bay. I wanted to see if the Sea Lions have moved back in?………and no they haven’t!
I than decided to head back into town to visit my eagle friends but noticed that a large thick cloud layer was moving in from the west and the light was about to go bye bye!
Basically I got a few Pano’s tonight!
I really was striking out tonight!
Still,it was great getting out in Nature! Always is!