Showing posts with label lighthouse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lighthouse. Show all posts

Sunday, June 15, 2014

June 15, 2014: Sheringham Point L pod Killer Whales!

365 Project, Day 201
Here is my day 201 submission to my 365Project:

Today's photo of the day is one of the younger members of L pod as they swam past us at Sheringham Lighthouse on the west coast of Vancouver Island:





This afternoon my friend offered me to join her for a drive up the west coast to China Beach for a walk and a hike. It was a gorgeous day and I was keen to leave the city so I jumped at the opportunity. The drive there was lovely and we had a wonderful lunch on the beach. Of course, because we have both spent years doing marine mammal work especially working on whale watching boats out of Victoria, we regularly scanned the waters with the hopes of spotting splashes or blows of whales in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. Although there were a few times we thought we saw blows we couldn't be sure as there was a lot of wind chop and current in the strait. 

On the way driving back down the coast we stopped at Shirley Delicious Cafe for a coffee to eat with our dessert at Sheringham Lighthouse, just around the corner from the cafe. Just as we were walking down to the lighthouse we spotted some killer whales approaching the lighthouse from the east...members of the L pod Resident 'fish eating' pod were traveling quickly towards the lighthouse! We were just in time to watch them pass by within 100 m of where we were standing at the lighthouse. I was so glad I brought my camera with me as I was able to take photos of them as they swam past. What an awesome day!










L41, a mature male born in 1977 (same year as me!)


L pod member I can't quite identify traveling with L88
L pod member I can't quite identify traveling with L88

L pod member I can't quite identify traveling with L88
L92 a younger male L pod member

L72 (bottom left), L55 (Top right)

L72 (bottom left), L55 (Top right)

L86, a female born in 1991

L86, a female born in 1991

L55 and her daughter L103

L55 and her kids L109 and L103

L55 and her kids L109 and L103

L55 and her kids L109 and L103




L91 born in 1995

L91 born in 1995

Probably L92 born in 1995





L85 a male born in 1991

Heading west along the coast of Vancouver Island towards the open Pacific Ocean






Saturday, May 3, 2014

May 3, 2014: Canal Boat Reflection

365 Project, Day 179
Here is my day 179 submission to my 365Project:

While exploring Amsterdam for the day we did the tourist thing and went for a lovely boat ride through the canals. It was a great way to see the city from a slightly different perspective. While the captain was making a sharp turn at one of the canal's intersections I noticed the reflection of our boat in one of the mirrors the captains use to check for oncoming traffic and had to get the shot.



I do love my job for the opportunities it provides to travel and see the many great places of the world! This evening we finally joined the vessel in Den Helder but not before we had enough time to take an early morning train to Amsterdam to check out some of the sights. I was so happy I finally got to see this famous city after passing through Amsterdam's Schiphol airport many times! 

During our visit we enjoyed coffee at a cafe overlooking the canals, wandered the streets, tasted delicious Gouda cheese (and tried very hard not to buy a ton!), explored the markets, went for a canal boat ride, took in the sights of the Red Light District (which was fairly tame by day!) and paid a visit to the Sex Museum (very entertaining!). After only getting a taste today of what Amsterdam is about I'd love to come back and explore this great city some more! Not too mention how friendly the Dutch were everywhere we went!

Early morning views towards hotel in Den Helder

The red lighthouse located in the midst of farmland in Den Helder

Love dandelions...especially in the morning light

In central Amsterdam






Love the expression this guy had as I snapped this photo :)




Gotta love the iPhone group selfie shot!

Tea and coffee time with my two awesome co-MMO/PAM operators

Lucy posing for me...so I could get the shot of the drunk guys on the bench, ha ha!
Then I got the shot I wanted...check out the two on the left tipping over!





What! Blame Canada! Ha ha!



The angles of the buildings are so cool!



At one of the many markets in Amsterdam


The boat for our canal boat tour

Sean settling in for the ride







Boat full of ladies...bachelorette/hen-do? Or just friends cruising around on a Saturday morning

Another market as viewed from the canal

And this is how you move in or out of such a narrow building...tie the furniture to a rope and out the window!

These guys just finished moving this sofa out from an upper window




And of course...one of the famous coffeeshops!

Red light district by daylight...it wasn't so bad really ;)

Red light district

Red light district

Red light district...Hmmm, wonder why all these guys are stopped staring? Wouldn't have anything to do with the naked woman in the window across the way?



After a great day...time to catch the train back to Den Helder

There it is, our home for the next few weeks, Polarcus Naila

Polarcus cruising to the port in Den Helder where we'd be joining her


One final look at Den Helder before heading to the ship :)