Well the November rains have begun in earnest here on BC’s west coast and I’ve been happy to be warm and dry inside going through this summer’s images. Serving as the Expedition Specialist on two photo tours with Outer Shores Expeditions, one to Haida Gwaii and one to the Great Bear Rainforest yielded some amazing experiences and photographic opportunities. As well, we were able to take several wonderful trips with our trusty sea kayaks as a family to some special places around Vancouver Island. I’ve updated my galleries with my most recent images but thought I’d share a few of my favourites here.
Our friends the hummingbirds were back in our yard in abundance this year giving me the opportunity to stand in my pyjamas, coffee in one hand, camera in the other enjoying the quiet early morning light and the birds’ antics.
Anna’s hummingbird and honeysuckle.
Spring found us on the remote west coast of Vancouver Island, sharing our little island with some coastal wolves. The kids enjoyed howling along when the wolves broke into song and it was fascinating to watch the juveniles tirelessly foraging in the intertidal zone for food to bring back to the den where the alpha female of the pack was nursing a new litter of cubs.
This young wolf sat watching me watching him for quite some time before approaching for a closer look. A 600mm lens makes it appear a lot closer than it actually was.
Low tide early in the morning was a great time to watch the wolves’ comings and goings.
My first photo tour of the summer was to Haida Gwaii. Each day offered a different highlight and by the end of the week our guests had been treated to many special moments, each representative of a different facet of this amazing place.
The Passing Cloud under full sail, Haida Gwaii.
A tufted puffin launches out of the waves, Haida Gwaii.
A pair of orca patrol for seals, Haida Gwaii.
A photo tour participant at S’gang Gwaii, Haida Gwaii. These mortuary poles were erected to commemorate respected elders. The site inspires feelings of mysticism and spirituality and to me, the shadows (of the other tour participants) seemed to echo the spirits of those long gone.
A moon jelly rises from the depths, Haida Gwaii.
A spectacular morning in Haida Gwaii.
Another family sea kayaking trip took us to the Broughton Archipelago off Vancouver Island’s north east coast. The area is famous for it’s marine mammals and we were not disappointed. At times the air and ocean were so still we could tell what was approaching our tiny island campsite simply by the sound of its breathing.
Calm seas and no wind invites exploration, Broughton Archipelago.
Sunset highlights some hardy low growing plants on our rocky island campsite.
An oystercatcher on the prowl.
Mid-August is a great time for star gazers as the Perseids meteor shower peaks with shooting stars visible every minute. This year I wanted to give a sense of the multiple meteors emanating from the same constellation. Fortunately those more facile with Photoshop than I have come up with a technique of blending multiple images while correcting for the passage of the stars across the night sky. Here is my take on this year’s Perseids meteor shower:
Perseids meteor shower over Saltspring Island.
Each summer we like to take the final few days of the kids’ summer vacation and do one last sea kayaking trip. This year’s destination were the Copeland Isands at the entrance to Desolation Sound. The islands are close by and the water is warm making it a perfect destination for a quick but relaxing trip.
Sunset in the Copeland Islands.
Moonset in the Copeland Islands.
My final big trip of the summer was again aboard the Passing Cloud to lead a photo tour in the Great Bear Rainforest at the end of September. Wild, pristine, and beautiful at any time, the place really comes alive from a wildlife photography point of view during the salmon spawning season. Grizzly bears, black bears including the famous white spirit bears, wolves, birds and all manner of other forest denizens converge along streams and in estuaries to feast on the returning salmon. We were able to spend some amazing time floating quietly in our zodiac photographing grizzlies foraging at the water’s edge while at the same time soaking in the stunning scenery. It’s truly a special place and one well worth protecting.
Fog was common in the mornings and made for some great light. Great Bear Rainforest.
Grizzly bear and her cub, Great Bear Rainforest.
A grizzly checks out her surroundings, Great Bear Rainforest.
The emblematic spirit bear of the Great Bear Rainforest.
Humpbacks prepare for a feeding dive while gulls circle in anticipation of a free meal. Great Bear Sea.
It’s tough to convey the vast scale of the Great Bear Rainforest. You can just see the Passing Cloud anchored in the estuary in the centre of this image.
If you’ve enjoyed seeing some of my favourite summer images, check out my galleries to see more. Thanks for reading!
Our boys enjoying some final summer freedom…
5 comments
Wow! Spectacular pictures JT!!!
Amazing as usual. Foggy Grizzly Bear and Cub my favourite.
Absolutely stunning pictures James. Brings back memories of my trips to these places and puts the Copeland Islands on my list as the sunset picture beckons! Love your picture of the Spirit Bear!
Surreal. Makes me want to go to all those places.
Amazing pictures. The spirt bear is my favorite. He is so perfect.
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