Ucluelet - Whale Watching in Barkley Sound

In August we made use of our rain check with Jamie's Whaling Station in Ucluelet to see if we could find some whales on this outing. While scanning the horizon, we pulled alongside the 22 metre Lady Selkirk. We were in the much more exciting 12-person aluminum hull inflatable. By the way, Jamie's Whaling station gives rain checks if/when no whales are spotted on one of their trips. That had happened to us earlier in April. On this trip in August we saw 5-6 (who can count these things?) whales; Blue and Humpback.

The Lady Selkirk of Jamie's Whaling Station
in Ucluelet (2013-08-22)

Rüdesheim - Rhine Ferry to Bingen

After a few days in Taunusstein, our journey took us past Bad Schwalbach, Lorch and Rüdesheim, before we caught the ferry across the Rhine River for Bingen.

Rhine ferry from Rüdesheim to Bingen (2012-04-29)

Whale-watching Zodiacs lined up in Horseshoe Bay

If you ride with BC Ferries enough (I do!), there'll come a time when you just have to wait for your next sailing. Earlier this summer, in June, I had some time to kill because, as per usual, I had "just" missed my Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo connection. On this afternoon, I wandered about amongst the Sewell's Marina boat rental fleet, hoping to get some postcard-worthy snaps. The smaller rental boats proved to be less than interesting. On the other hand, these whale-watching boats, with their bright colours, proved to be worthy of a CLICK!

Sewell's Marina Horseshoe Bay whale-watching boats (2013-06-12)

 

Nanaimo - Harbour Beauty

The kayaking objective on this day was Nanaimo harbour. At some point this beauty came into sight. Need I say more?! WOW! And a postcard view you'd only get from a kayak.

On May 16, 2013 Fraser Yachts shared news of a $12.5 million price cut on the $59,740,000 expedition yacht Ulysses. Ulysses has a rugged steel hull and aluminium superstructure and is powered by twin Caterpillar engines. Accommodation is for up to 16 guests in a master suite, five double and two twin cabins along with three Pullman berths.

Super Yacht Ulysses; yours for only 
$60 million in 2013. (2007-08-20) 

Ladysmith - Enigma behind the Dunsmuir Islands

At the start of my kayaking trip on this date, I'd launched at Transfer Beach in Ladysmith. Some time later I was on the other side of the Dunsmuir Islands. Paddling past a series of log booms (clearly logging is not completely dead in British Columbia) my course took me past a series of boats / ships that left me asking, "Why? Why own them? Why or how are they still afloat? "

Why are they still afloat? (2007-08-21)

Genoa Bay - Oddly out of Place

After a very smooth crossing of Cowichan Bay and a short paddle around Genoa Bay I headed out of Genoa Bay with the intention of making it to Saltspring Island via Sansum Narrow (more on that another time). As I was leaving Genoa Bay I spotted this oddly-out-of-place mini freighter (packet freighters I believe they're called).

Genoa Bay; Oddly out of Place (2007-08-30) 

Cowichan Bay - Morning Calm

It was late August and I had to be at work at BCIT the next day.  I could have - perhaps should have - been at my desk on this day. On the other hand, clearly, I could have extended a joyous kayaking summer just one more day. The latter option was the one I chose! And a grand choice it was! Cowichan Bay was as smooth as a mirror. Just after launching at the Cow Bay boat launch I paddled my way towards this lonely boat. The smoke? Making pancakes for breakfast I fantasized. And a few hours later I decided I needed more of this. I decided it was time to retire!

A calm Cowichan Bay morning (2007-08-30) 

Nanimo - The Falcon Rock in Departure Bay

Whale Watching out of Tofino

After an enjoyable lunch at the Sea Shanty restaurant, Hanne, Beate, Paul and I strolled down to the Tofino wharf to watch the comings and goings of the passengers embarking and disembarking from a steady stream of water taxis from Opitsaht across the water, and elsewhere around Clayquot Sound. While taking in the local colour, Jamie's Whale Watching boat cruised by for a postcard portrait.

Jamie's Whale Watching out of Tofino (2013-07-12) 

Quadra Island - MV Tenaka leaving Heriot Bay

A stay at the Heriot Bay Inn ensures a fairly regular view of the MV Tenaka making it's run from Heriot Bay on Quadra Island to Whaletown on Cortes Island. On a windy day in March, the moderate whitecaps, sundry stuff on the dock, and the Tenaka herself, pose for a postcard photograph. 

The ferry MV Tenaka (2010-04-21) 

Nanaimo - Bucking Wind and Waves in Cedar

There's little I can say about this scene except that I enjoyed watching the skipper fighting the elements trying to maneuver his craft into the position he wanted.

Bucking the waves off Cedar, BC (2012-07-22)

Sidney - February Sailing

Hanne and I were in Victoria for the film festival in February. Between films, we took a drive up to Sidney - yes, that's Sidney with an "i" - to browse through some of our favourite used (should that read "antique") book stores and to grab a bite at the always excellent 3rd Street Cafe. A visit to Sidney is incomplete without a promenade along the path along the shore. On this particular day the local sailing enthusiasts were trying ever so hard to start a race with a wind that was, at best, uncooperative. I would have liked a more dynamic postcard view. 

Sailing in Sidney (2013-02)

Rowboat in Nanaimo Harbour

On this January day I had gone down to the harbour in Nanaimo to admire the docks and boats enveloped in fog. I was not disappointed. But, while taking my eye off the fog so evident a metre of two off the water, this little gem very clearly just begged to be photographed. CLICK!

Rowboat in Nanaimo (2013-01-21) 

French Creek - Bright Red Beauty

I was at the harbour at French Creek to see of I could catch some herring season activity. The incessant screeching of the seagulls was ample evidence of season's catch being unloaded at the fish processing plant. But that cacophony was at my back. In front of me lay a bright red boat whose profile begged to be captured on a postcard.

Red boat in French Creek (2013-03-07) 

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Nanaimo - Anchored Freighter; from the Gabriola Ferry

The Nanaimo to Gabriola Island ferry often passes freighters, anchored as they await a berth in Nanaimo Harbour. This day, as Norbi and I are on our way to to do some exploring of the island we skim by the bow of the Geiranger.

MV  Geiranger (2013-06-01) 

Brentwood Bay - Unique Canoe Seating

While there weren't too many boats at this dock in Brentwood Bay, this canoe caught my eye for it's unique use of a plastic chair.

Canoe in Brentwood Bay (2013-06-21)

French Creek - Bright Colours

A trip to French Creek is always good if you're wanting to just walk about looking at boats. Which I seem to want to do quite often.

Bright colours in French Creek Harbour

Horseshoe Bay - Queen of Capilano arriving from Bowen Island

While waiting for my own ferry to dock at Horseshoe Bay, I spot the Queen of Capilano, of the BC Ferries fleet, arriving from Bowen Island.

Queen of Capilano arriving at Horshoe Bay
from Bowen Island (2013-02-23)

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Crofton - Lonely Anchorage

On our way to Saltspring Island in mid September we stopped for coffee, a muffin, and some photography near the ferry terminal in Crofton. There we noticed a boat, anchored in the bay near the ferry terminal. Once the ferry was on it's way, I spotted a better postcard view.

A lonely craft moored off Crofton,
British Columbia (2012-09-15)

A first post

Let's start this blog off with a boat moored in Ucluelet. In this case, the 62 foot freezer tuna vessel the Beaufort Sea.