MAIACETUS

Sunday, March 23, 2014

March 23, 2014: Rock sausage time!

365 Project, Day 161

Here is my day 161 submission to my 365Project:

Today I went along for a ride on a Five Star Charters whale watching trip. I worked many seasons for Five Star as a naturalist and will occasionally work when I'm home between MMO jobs if they don't have any other crew available. Most of the time though I join trips for boat rides to catch up with my friends who work on the boat...and those in the water :)

I had a great time on the trip today as it was the first time I saw the famous wolf which has been hanging out on Discover Island (just offshore of the community of Oak Bay in Victoria!) since July 2012. Although it was rather distant I still managed to get some photos as 'proof of presence'. We also had the pleasure of seeing many harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), affectionately known as 'rock sausages' here, and Steller (Eumatopias jubatus) and California (Zalophus californianus) sea lions at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.

Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) aka 'rock sausages' hauled out at Race Rocks ;)

Black Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala) in flight at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

You can just see the wolf sitting in the grass to the left of the twisty arbutus tree :)

...and now time for a wander

Rhinocerous Auklets (Cerorhinca moncerata)

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Steller sea lions (Eumatopias jubatus) at Race Rocks

Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) aka 'Rock sausages' ;)

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

March 12, 2014: Hail The Surf Gods!

365 Project, Day 172

Here is my day 172 submission to my 365Project:

This morning was my second attempt ever trying to surf at a point break on Vancouver Island. I have been a few times to Tofino where us beginners typically ride in the wash of the beach break waves but this would be only my second time at a point break.

It was a gorgeous morning and I was excited to try to ride a wave here again. Unfortunately, shortly after my first attempt to catch a wave (and promptly bailing, but it was fun anyways cuz I love being in the water!) I wasn't feeling well (must've eaten something off, yikes!) so had to head back to shore. After drying off and putting all my gear away I took advantage of the time and beautiful morning light to take photos of the surf and surfers in action.

Just before we were heading to the truck I got this picture of Chris holding his surf board over his head as the shafts of light came cascading down through the forest around him...and I think it turned into a really cool shot. Looks a bit like he's hailing the surf gods :)

Hail The Surf Gods!

One of Vancouver Island's beautiful surf spots in the early morning sunshine

Way out the surfers hanging around in the 'line up' waiting to catch their next wave

More early morning gorgeous light shining down on the beach

Catching a wave

Swell rollin' in

Firsts in action...you can just see a surfer at the base of the wave

Time to think about duck diving!

Surf's up!

Love this wave...especially the wind blowing the spray back off the top!

Long boarder planning to paddle out

Nice!

Paddle, paddle, paddle!!

Hail The Surf Gods part deux!

One of the busier surf spots in action on the west coast!

Friday, March 7, 2014

March 7, 2014: Contemplating Majesty

365 Project, Day 171

Here is my day 171 submission to my 365Project:

I've been itching to get out for a hike lately so we went out to Mount Work Regional Park this morning. It was a lovely day and my mind was instantly cleared of all the thoughts of life's busy-ness as we hiked through the lush, mossy forest. The forests here are such magical places and you get truly refreshed and a sense of perspective about life when you make spend some time surrounded by such majesty!