Pacific Ocean & Vancouver Island

Ever wonder about the grains of sand on vast expanses of ocean beaches?  I do. Where have these tiny grains been and how long have they been there?  Winds and surf at play sculpt the shores and sights one will see over the years.  The tall grasses blanketed in the dunes and dwarf coastal trees try to grow big and strong in the ever present ocean breezes.  Today’s photos are from the sands of Agate Beach on the north east shores of Haida Gwaii.  I loved the little sand hoodoos that formed from the winds and how the fog hugged the coast line.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

I was so thrilled to finally see these birds with my own eyes as I had looked for them on previous visits to British Columbia!  I found them way out on the tidal flats of a fairly remote  island which we had visited via zodiak while touring Haida Gwaii.  Black Oystercatchers feed on marine invertebrates found on rocky shores, gravel beaches and mudflats along the seashore. Shorebird biologists estimate the world’s breeding population to be about 10,000 pairs. These are mostly in Alaska, followed by British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California and Baja California. They use their long orange beaks to chisel feed such as snails off rocks and to pry open mussels.  I love their orange ringed  eyes – so bright. There were eight birds in this group.

Enjoy !

~Sharon

We have Bald Eagles all across our provinces but these photos were taken in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island.  This is one of my favourite places to visit.  It is home to the Wild Pacific Trail, Broken Group Islands, whale festival in March, situated next to the Pacific Rim National Park (Tofino half an hour north) and wildlife abounds.  I would highly recommend a visit here if given the chance. When we were out whale watching we saw a “flock” of bald eagles out on the ocean diving into the water eating the same roe that the whales were feeding on. Unfortunately, we were in very rough waters at the time and  it was raining  hard as we passed by so I could not get photos of that.

We couldn’t get closer to this nesting pair because of the rough surf that day.  An enormous tree with a huge eagle nest at the top.  I wonder how they withstand all the weather and winds being so out in the open.

Enjoy!

~Sharon