THE “CAPE ANN”

COAST GUARD HEADING OUT

THE “CAPE ANN” COMING BACK IN

THE “CAPE ANN” COMING IN TO PORT

THE “CAPE ANN” COMING BACK IN

GOING OUT ON PATROL

COAST GUARD CRUISING

CANADIAN COAST GUARD IN FRONT OF TRANQUIL INLET

TOFINO AIR COMING IN

BEAVER HEADING OUT,BOAT COMING IN & COAST GUARD TIED UP

THE “CAPE KUPER” & THE “CAPE ANN”

Headed out today. Went up into Fortune Channel looking for my bear friends. Found only one up there.Didn’t recognize it,took a few shots & decided to go over into Gunner inlet to try my luck there.Ended up finding two bears there. Neither of them could see the other at the moment. Bears are constantly watching out for each other!
The first bear I found, I’ve seen before in this spot. It looks like a large male. I got out of the boat to get a better angle. It did keep a eye on me but he wasn’t concerned about me.
I only move when the bears head is down & watch where I’m stepping. I try not to make any noise. When it looks at me,I freeze. As long as I’m not moving while it’s watching me,they generally don’t get skittish.

Left my furry friend in Gunner inlet. Thats when I found a third bear. Didn’t recognize it. Took a few shots & continued out of Gunner.
Headed to Tsapee Narrows. The Daredevil came over & so did Delilah. Not sure why but I couldn’t connect with the focusing? It happens sometimes.Eagles move so fast that it’s all I can do just to hang on when they zoom past!
Didn’t get much,but had to move on,the sun was getting low in the west. Headed back into town.
Noticed Tim or Tam on Lovekin point. With that forest fire sunset I couldn’t resist shooting a few.

Went over to Deadman island to visit with Romeo. Juliette stays on the nest to keep her egg warm. Romeo brings her all the food she needs. He is the best mate any girl eagle could have!
That forest fire north of us made the sunset turn a deep bright orange! Forest fires always make great sunsets!
Took a few shots of Romeo & that gorgeous sunset. The sun went behind some low coastal clouds & that was all she wrote.
Said goodnight to Romeo & called it a night.
Another great shoot under my belt!

SUCCESSFUL SEARCH,GOING HOME

A young native girl on a class outing,got lost yesterday. She had to spend the night alone up in Bedwell Sound. She only had a T-shirt & shorts on. This helicopter was used to find her.
It appears she’s ok. When I shot this,they were taking off from the Coast Guard Station to head back to base.

THE “CAPE ANN” COMING IN

THE “CAPE ANN” COMING BACK IN

A TOFINO TRAFFIC JAM

THE “CAPE ANN” COMING BACK IN

THE “CAPE ANN” HEADING OUT

CANADIAN COAST GUARD TAKING OFF

Notice how the heat from the turbines has obscured the trees? When a photon goes through different mediums & or temperature difference,it’s path is altered. The image is distorted as a result.
It’s the same reason stars twinkle. You can also see this natural phenomenon while looking through a camp fire.

THE “ATLIN POST” COMING BACK IN

THE “ARROW POST” & THE “CAPE ANN” AT BERTH

I’m heading out earlier & earlier it seems! The sun is setting so much sooner!
Headed down to Tsapee Narrows. All of my eagle friends have been away on/off to the salmon grounds! I’d love to know exactly where they go of course but thats just fantasy.
I took a client with me last Wednesday. He wanted eagle pictures. Wouldn’t you know that not one of my eagle friends was around! I was very disappointed of course! They all go to where the salmon are running to get their fill,so I can’t blame them……….just my bad timing.

So when I got down to the Narrows & saw the Daredevil flying over to greet me,it brought a smile to my face! I assume they are full of salmon & one of the reasons why they seem so lazy? They are still moulting as well.
I made up a new game tonight! Sometimes after one of my eagle friends grab a fish,a fluff of down will let loose & begin to float down wind. I manoeuvred the boat to grab it! I got the one the Daredevil let loose tonight! As soon as I catch it,the beautiful structure is destroyed! It clumps into a small wad.
Still a challenge to try & follow this beautiful piece of down & try to catch it before it hits the water!

Only stayed a short while with my full friend. The sun was already getting close to the horizon. Headed back to the harbour & went to Deadman island to see if my friend Romeo was around? Turns out he was but very lethargic as well! He did two runs & that was all she wrote. He looked like a big fat turkey! Juliette wasn’t around,so she must of been still down at the grounds?
I still had some light left in the day so just went around the harbour looking for anything to shoot? I decided to come back in & call it a day. Normally all the excitement ends than but there was something else in store for me tonight!

I put away & cleaned all my boat gear as per normal & locked up. I decided to go out onto the 1st. dock to just watch the afterglow of the sunset. I saw a friend in his boat with clients coming back & decided to get my camera back out. Took a few shots & packed it back away & put my pack on my back. I had just started to walk away when it happened!
I looked up because of a bright light & saw a large meteor screaming across the heavens! It was going from east to west & was a bright welders white colour. It broke up in the sky & did not hit the ground. Those are called meteors but if it had hits the ground,those are called meteorites! I looked at the metadata of my last shot & it was 8:21pm. It had to be only 2 minutes after I took that last shot,so am calling the time around 8:24 pm (Pacific). Sure wish I could of gotten a still or better yet a video…………….but hindsight is always such a tormenting road!

Had a great evening out tonight & the meteor was the icing to my cake!

THE “ARROW POST” AT BERTH

THE “CAPE ANN” ON DUTY

It was good enough to head out today. The clouds had parted & the sun was out in all it’s glory!
It was high tide when I headed out,so I knew the chances of me finding any of my furry friends wandering around………….. wasn’t good! Headed up to Fortune Channel to see if I could prove my doubts wrong…………….but only ended up confirming them! I did two passes along the eastern shore & didn’t find a single one of my furry friends. They must of all been napping……………or on line surfing? Can’t blame them,I would be too If I could.

Decided to leave Fortune & head back to the harbour. When I came around the SE corner of Meares island I knew the nights shoot was coming to a close real fast!! (before I left tonight,I checked out the visible satellite site. I could see this large solid band of cloud creeping down from the north!)
So when I saw that massive solid wall of cloud advancing eastward,I wasn’t shocked!
I could see that I had about 15 minutes at best to get a few shots.I also knew that the only eagles I’d be getting tonight would be the Tsapee Narrows couple……..the Daredevil & Delilah!
Turns out Delilah wasn’t around,but the Daredevil did go back & forth to the nest,so I assumed she was busy at the nest?
It was just two guys,the Daredevil & little old me! I could only get a few shots,but I did enjoy being with my feathered friend! He’s brings a huge smile to my face!
The air was calm,so when he went by me (close) I could feel the air blast! It’s an a amazing sound that comes off of their wings! If you ever get close enough to hear it,you’ll never forget it!
After taking my shots,the sun was snuffed for the night & that was all she wrote for tonight. Headed back to Tofino’s harbour.
I did run into a Blue Heron near Strawberry Island & after a few shots,called it quits!
Short shoot tonight but still had fun!

THE “ATLIN POST” ON DUTY

THE “CAPE ANN” IN FRONT OF OPISAT

COAST GUARD HEADING OUT

It was sunny & cold today! So I bundled up & put on my wool balaclava!
I saw the Coast Guard getting ready to head out & asked them if I could take a shot of them. I told them where I wanted them & went down to the spot to wait for them. I always love using the snowy mountains of Strathcona as my background!
Sure enough they came zipping by & I got the shot!
Continued down the inlet to Cannery bay. I wanted to see if the Lions had arrived yet? After arriving it became obvious that they were not home!
Very disappointing! I think this year is going to be poor for them? They follow the food & if they are not here than that means the food isn’t either!
Because I was in the neighbourhood,I decided to head over to Tranquil to check on the Trumpeters. Sure enough they were they but very skittish to get close to! I went into the system just to burn some time. I always love going into Tranquil! Had some quiet reflective time to myself & than left.
The sun was lower than what I had thought! I only had time to visit with the Daredevil/Delilah at Tsapee Narrows! They both seemed happy & healthy today! Stayed only a few minutes with them before the sun went behind the tree line.
Said goodnight & headed back into the harbour.
I noticed Tam on her perch tree at Lovekin Point. There was a crescent moon out,so I lined them both up for a few shots.
The light had gone by this time,so I called it.
I was disappointed that the Lions hadn’t shown up yet,but it was still great getting out………..always is!!

THE “ATLIN POST” TOWING A DEAD ORCA

The clouds parted today,so I got out for a shoot but no sooner had I launched my boat,than I noticed the Fog beginning to move in!
I knew the town would be covered soon,so I headed down the inlet. A friend told me there was a dead Orca at the Grice Bay ramp! I wanted to get some shots while they were doing their autopsy,but arrived too late! The Canadian Coast Guard cutter “Atlin Post” was already towing it out to sea!
Disappointed I headed up into Fortune Channel to look for bears? I found one & recognized it.It was a bear that was a bit skittish! I call it “Scaredy Cat”. I can’t get within 200 meters before it trots off into the forest!
Went over into Gunner to see what was going on & I did find a bear but the light was already gone & it was too far away to get anything crisp!
I knew my night was going to be poor with the fog moving in! I wouldn’t be able to get any shots of my eagle friends & the bears were not cooperating either! Big strike outs tonight! No Orca,bears (close up) or eagles!
I came back in early to lick my wounds! No light…..no shots!

UPDATE – (Sept 18th,2013) I received this info about that dead Orca from Rod Palm (Strawberry Island Research)

“September 12, at 14:00, 8 nautical miles off Long Beach, Claire Mosley (Biologist on Jamie’s
Whaling Station vessel “Leviathan 2”) spots something curious floating in the distance; a few
pleading words to Skipper Chris McCue and the course is altered to check it out. They didn’t
expect this but there it is – a big bull Kawkawin (Killer Whale) dead in the water. Chris calls us,
and the machine starts turning. Here’s the skinny: a call to Skipper Marcel Theriault (Ceara
Salvage) – says he could have his vessel “Beach Hopper” on scene within an hour; a call to
Graeme Ellis and John Ford (the top whale brass at the Pacific Biological Station [PBS]) – “Can
you guys budget a recovery?”; their network kicks into gear and within an hour Marcel is on his
way. “Meanwhile back at the ranch”–oops sorry, back at the whale, the whale-watch fleet has
been rotating a presence so that the location is not lost. A call back from PBS and Marcel is on
site and has the whale in tow by 17:30. Shortly after, the Coast Guard vessel “Atlin Post” takes
over to tow against the ebbing tide. Once they’re in the harbour, Marcel pulls it over to us here
on Strawberry Island, where we explore the body and bask in its aromatic splendour for 36+
hours. At dawn on Saturday, Marcel working in conjunction with the “Atlin Post” pickup the
whale and have it delivered to the Grice Bay boat ramp, where Long Beach Auto is able to drag
the carcass up out of the water. Graeme is first on scene and right away identifies the whale as
the 33-year-old Northern Resident I46, who generally ranges through the inside Northern waters
of Vancouver Island. Shortly after, a keen and able-bodied necropsy crew headed up by Dr.
Stephen Raverty (pathologist at the Provincial Animal Health Center at Abbotsford) is getting
down and dirty taking I46 apart and bagging organ tissue samples and de-fleshing the bones for
shipment to the Ottawa Museum. By mid-afternoon the deed is done, and Marcel along with the
“Atlin Post” take charge of the remaining meat, blubber and assorted body parts for disposal in
the open ocean.
I46 was a late middle-aged Kawkawin who appeared to have normal bodyweight, and had fairly
recently been eating, as was evident by the salmon bones that were found in the upper intestinal
track along with a barbless treble hook that had not traumatically obstructed digestion. No
major external or internal trauma was found, so it’s now up to the lab at Abbotsford to see what
they can find with their histo-, toxo- and all their other ologies. These folks are very thorough,
but it all takes time, so it may be a while before I can get back to you with any results.
Later…Rod info@strawberryisle.org more images to follow”
(The images below are from Strawberry Island Marine Research Society)

THE “CAPE ANN” & THE “NADEN ISLE” COMING INTO HARBOUR AT SUNSET

You can see how the fog snuffed the light in Tofino’s harbour! The important thing to notice however is that gap on the western horizon!
I knew that when the sun got lower that it would peek through in all it’s splendor! The light went from zero to 100% beautiful in a matter of minutes! I always watch out for this meteorological scenario! It’s almost a guarantee for a gorgeous sunset,& each one has the potential of becoming something very unique! One never knows what is going to happen exactly?

THE “ATLIN POST” COMING IN

This sequence & the one below is all I got tonight!! My motor acted up on me when I was at the furthest point away from Tofino! I could only move at a snails pace & it took several hours to just get back in!
As a result I wasn’t able to get anything tonight! I’m choked!

THE “ATLIN POST”

The “Atlin Post” was in town on a tour. I saw them coming into the harbour from the east. I missed getting a shot of them with Strathcona’s mountains in behind because I was too far away,but it turned out to be a mute point. I soon realized clouds were obscuring Strathcona anyways!
The last time I saw the Atlin Post was down at the Coast Guard base they were closing in Vancouver about 2 months ago!

TOFINO AIR & THE COAST GUARD

THE “CAPE ANN” GOING OUT ON PATROL

It was another cold,crisp day today in Tofino!
Got my gear together & headed out on yet another great Tofino adventure!
The first thing that caught my eye was the “Cape Ann” heading out. They were heading out to open ocean,so I couldn’t follow.
Than I found one of the Beck island eagles on that rock in the middle of the harbour again.
I continued through the harbour & found both Ernie & Ethel on that rocky islet on the north side of Strawberry island. Lots of eagles out on rocks today I guess!
Started heading eastward down Browning Pass all the while watching the shore intently on finding my wolf friends? No such luck today.
Went straight down to Cannery Bay to check in on my Lion friends & found them almost all gone!! There were only a handful hanging around! Not sure whats up with that? They can’t be leaving so early? The bait fish in the inlet has to be slim to none if their numbers are down that much. Animals ebb & flow like the tides & the reasons behind will remain a mystery to our eyes.
Took just a few shots of the boys & headed over to Rankin Rocks,or I should say “Tried” to! The last few days has been cold & calm. With no wind & freezing conditions at night,the surface water had frozen into sheet ice! (the fresh water is lighter & lays on top of the saltwater)
You hit that stuff with a fiberglass hull & you’ll be dead soon enough! It’ll rip through your hull,the boat will sink & you’ll die.
I saw it at a distance & gave it a wide berth. All of Tranquil Inlet & Rankin was covered in ice! So there was no way I was going down there! I did glass it with my binocs & saw nothing of interest anyways,so I continued on.
Time was on my side,so I decided to visit Rob & the boys at Gunner Inlet. They live there on float houses.I talked too much & the time flew by! I realized the light was going & I had better leave to get some of that sunset. I only got silhouette’s of my finely feathered friends. I stopped at Tsapee Narrows for a few with the Daredevil & Delilah. Said a quick goodnight & headed as fast as possible to Deadman island to get some afterglow shots with Romeo & Juliette.
Got in under the wire! They both were active tonight.
Said goodnight to them & called it a day!
Another great adventure for me today!

CAPE ANN HEADING OUT

COAST GUARD HEADING OUT

Before I headed out today,I checked the Satellite for the cloud situation. I saw a large coastal cloud system coming in from the south & knew that there was a very good chance that the light was going to go bye bye!
I went down to Gunner looking for bears & found zero. I continued on to Tranquil Creek to see if any bears were down in there? Lots of Chum salmon & yes I did see that Sow with one cub again. I see her every time I go down there! Did some video shoots with the Go Pro too. I’ve been getting underwater footage of the salmon swimming about! Very tricky to get it too! They’re always on the alert for anything getting close to them!
Headed back & saw that the Fog had moved in & that was all she wrote for the nights shoot folks! No light………no shots!
I took a few token shots of Romeo! Both him & Juliette flew out to greet me! She normally doesn’t bother!
Did one run & that was it!
Had no light or subject to shoot,so I just came back in.
I did get some good footage of the salmon,so It wasn’t a total loss!

SUNSET LANDING

Estavan Bound

I finally was able to get out today!
I went straight down to Cannery to check in on the Lions. I was surprised to see their numbers were less than what I would of expected!
No Stellers either,all Cali’s.
Today was the first trip with my new outboard. I was happy with it except that it does not have a “Pilot Control”. It tightens the steering so that you can let go of the tiller arm. It comes in handy! It’s very hard to do anything with only one arm. To zip up my jacket,I have to stop the entire boat!
If my arm needs to have a rest…..I have to stop the boat. If I were to let go of the tiller arm,the boat would do a tight turn & eject me! I do attach the kill cord,but I’m not into swimming.
After visiting with my Lion friends,I went to Tsapee Narrows to visit with the Daredevil & Delilah.
They both took off all of a sudden and did a strike on either Logan or Angie. One of them was on a small island that the Daredevil & Delilah considered their territory!
Eagles are constantly looking to expand. If your a sick eagle or wounded,your neighbours are going to encroach onto your turf!(i think this principal happens in many species)
I continued on to Deadman to visit with Romeo/Juliette. I could see that the sun was not going to make it to the horizon. There was a lower cloud layer going to snuff the sun. I only had a few minutes with them in good light before it went bye bye!
All in all a great days shoot!

The Coast Guard went over as I was getting the boat ready. I noticed they were slinging something & turns out it’s one of those “Tidy Tanks”.
Looking at the bearing of their flight,I’m going to guess that it was going up to the Estavan Lighthouse.

Coast Guard Helicopter Landing & Taking Off

A nice strong high pressure system moved in last night and was giving us a beautiful sunny day today! I had seen it coming days before and knew exactly what I wanted to do!
I went down to Cannery Bay to see if my “barking” furry friends were home yet?…………….& they were!They almost always come back on or near my birthday. My birthday was yesterday. So I use that as a bench mark date for their return.
The Sea Lions have moved back into the Inlet! They were on the outside of the Bay on two small rocky islets. There were none on the inside yet. Because of the suns angle right now,the entire bay is almost in darkness. Our friends want warmth,so I think they move into the Bay when the sun starts to come back to the north on Dec 21st? I went inside of the Bay and the hill to the SW was casting nothing but darkness by blocking the suns rays.
Even the Sea Lions depend on the sun like me!
I spent a hour with my friends and than turned to the west to come back in to town.
I stopped off at Tsapee Narrows to check on the Daredevil and see how he was doing? He had injured his left Talon a week or so ago. He was his chirpy self!
It was good to see him again!
I than moved on to visit Moe at Morpheus Island. Maggie wasn’t around.(must of been out doing Christmas shopping?)
The water was fairly calm,so I managed to get a few good shots of Moe with Strathcona in the background.
After that I continued west to Deadman Island to visit Romeo and Juliette. They both were active tonight. I find all the eagles are way more active in the winter.
I had a great afternoons shoot! Just having my furry friends back for the winter made it all worthwhile on it’s own!
The Coast Guard chopper landed, dropped someone off & was out of there right away.

The BARTLETT

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As soon as I got out tonight I knew that the light was going to fail! I planned on meeting friends down at Tsappee Narrows,but after looking down that way and seeing the shadow,I figured I’d head out to the Lighthouse to shoot the Bartlett.
I had a walk with friends out at Chesterman’s beach this afternoon and saw the Bartlett anchored out front. I’ve always wanted to get some good shots of this ship and I guess that night is tonight!
I could see everything else was in shade but we were staying in the sunshine in our location.
The Bartlett was anchored a few klicks north of the Lighthouse.
I just motored around the Bartlett looking at the different angles. I really liked the clouds! Those clouds are a direct result of the sun coming out today and having a very wet Rainforest exposed to heat!
Basically these clouds are “Rainforest clouds”!

Fishing Off Of The Bartlett’s Stern

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The BARTLETT

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The Bartlett and the Wickaninnish Inn at Sunset

Coast Guard

I noticed that the Helicopter was in and most likely staying the night.

Cape Ann

A maritime shot if I ever saw one!

Coast Guard Rescue

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I didn’t get out tonight in the boat. The clouds were all wrong,too iffy.
I went out to Chesterman’s Beach with some friends visiting from England. They love Tofino as much as I do.
We went over to Frank Island to watch the sunset.
My friends noticed these Jet Ski’s coming out of Cox Bay. I’m not too sure,but I think the red and white Jet Ski is being towed! They continued around Frank Island and were heading back into town. I also noticed after they passed Frank Island that the Coast Guard Vessel”Cape Ann” came over to them. They must of been called by these guys. They came together and talked . The Coast Guard than turned around and escorted them back into the harbour.
Much to do about nothing I’m afraid!

Cape Ann and Cape Calvert

I’ve never seen two of these guys tied up together.
The bright colours added alittle zest to the drab light.

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship “Vector”

A Oceans and Fisheries vessel,Vector was in Tofino’s harbour today.I thought it was a Coast Guard vessel at first,but zoomed in and saw it’s name.
It was sunny all day and just when I wanted to go out,a large cloud structure moved in from the west and it was “see ya later alligator”,for the sun! By the time it leaves,the sun will of set. Oh well.
The small boat in the foreground is called the Kleco and Dennis owns it.
The second flag in the foreground is the Coast Guard insignia .
Lone Cone and the village, Opitsat on Meares island can be seen in the background as well.
Because the light got snuffed this is all that I got today.No light,no pictures
Stay tuned

Oceans and Fisheries Boat “Vector”

The Vector was heading south and I waited for one of these surfers to catch a wave to be the foreground subject.
He probably was heading down to Ucluelet for the day.

Coast Guard Heading Out

This large Coast Guard vessel provided a nice subject at sunset. I waited to get some wave action in the foreground before I took the shot.

Coast Guard Ship and A Small Fishing Boat

I saw this small fishing boat coming into Tofino from the south and waited for him to line up with the Coast Guard vessel.
It’s all about being at the right spot,at the right time!
With It happening at sunset is simply icing to my cake!

The Coast Guard Ship “Provo Wallis” in Front of Lennard Island Lighthouse

I’ve been trying to get this shot for years! I wanted the Coast Guard vessel right in front of the Lighthouse. The light is not what I would of liked,but hey………you takes what yer given…right!
It would of been better if it was sunrise. The light would of been behind me and directly right on the Vessel/Lighthouse. (for those not familiar with this area,I am looking to the West in this shot)

The “Provo Wallis” in Harbour

Large Coast Guard vessels come into Tofino on regular basis to pick up/clean all the channel buoys.
They do a great job.
They also make great subjects to take pictures of.