April 8, 2007
This afternoon we went out aboard one of our zodiacs, the Aquatic Dancer, for an early season wildlife trip. We journeyed first to Race Rocks, one of our favourite locations to visit, to look at the many pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) that call the ecological reserve their home. Several Stellar sea lions and a few California sea lions were hauled out on the rocks and provided our passengers and naturalist (me) with some excellent photographic opportunities. In fact, we found 4 pinniped species there today as at least one elephant seal was sharing the same rock as the sea lions and harbour seals seemed to be everywhere.
Today was an absolutely spectacular day for eagle sightings as we encountered at least 6 different eagles at Race Rocks in both adult and juvenile plumage. We spotted both pelagic and double -crested cormorants, several gulls and even a few very striking Harlequin ducks.
As the seas were calm, we decided to make the trek across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Crescent Bay on the Olympic Peninsula hoping to find a gray whale or two. Although we didn't find any gray whales, the rugged coastline was beautiful and we saw a few harbour porpoise foraging in the still waters. We stopped briefly at a waterfall and looked at the large array of intertidal life that was visible during today's low tide. The wet weather did not dampen our spirits, it was another great day of wildlife watching.
This afternoon we went out aboard one of our zodiacs, the Aquatic Dancer, for an early season wildlife trip. We journeyed first to Race Rocks, one of our favourite locations to visit, to look at the many pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) that call the ecological reserve their home. Several Stellar sea lions and a few California sea lions were hauled out on the rocks and provided our passengers and naturalist (me) with some excellent photographic opportunities. In fact, we found 4 pinniped species there today as at least one elephant seal was sharing the same rock as the sea lions and harbour seals seemed to be everywhere.
Today was an absolutely spectacular day for eagle sightings as we encountered at least 6 different eagles at Race Rocks in both adult and juvenile plumage. We spotted both pelagic and double -crested cormorants, several gulls and even a few very striking Harlequin ducks.
As the seas were calm, we decided to make the trek across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Crescent Bay on the Olympic Peninsula hoping to find a gray whale or two. Although we didn't find any gray whales, the rugged coastline was beautiful and we saw a few harbour porpoise foraging in the still waters. We stopped briefly at a waterfall and looked at the large array of intertidal life that was visible during today's low tide. The wet weather did not dampen our spirits, it was another great day of wildlife watching.
