Capturing the Moment

Sunrise Humpbacks Humpback Photos   After going a few days without seeing any cetaceans (whales), we got lucky running across a few humpback whales near Thrasher Rock in British Columbia. It looked like a mother with a yearling, maybe getting ready for the long migration south to the breeding area. While we watched the duo we were also basking in a beautiful sunrise. I guess this is why they call this part of British Columbia's coast the 'Sunshine Coast.' The colors and backlighting added a little uniqueness to an already magical encounter with these whales. Big Bull headed my way    It turns out that our whale watching for the day was not over after we left the humpbacks. A few hours later, close to the Canada USA border, I spotted the telltail tall black dorsal fin of an orca from a couple miles out. I couldn't believe my binoculars just happened to scan right over that area as it came up for a breath. It took another fifteen minutes for us to get...

Alone at the Skookumchuk Rapids Mist hugging the forest   It turns out Fall is a pretty amazing time to cruise through islands and fjords of British Columbia. Early morning clouds hang low enough to touch the mist rising from the water. It has a way of hiding thousand foot cliffs only to reveal them a few seconds later. The fog also hugs the forest, often moving in and around the huge old growth trees like some ethereal river. Paddle Boarding the Fjord    It is a rare opportunity for photography, as mist can often be a landscape photographers best friend. It add a mysterious effect, and always reminds me of ancient Chinese paintings where layers of mist would separate the foreground, middle, and background adding depth to a two dimensional scene. Ready to Deploy   The fog became so thick at one point during a kayak excursion this week that all sound was snuffed out except a ship's foghorn that would cut through the mist from far away every few...

  The San Juan Islands are nestled in between the US. mainland and the southernmost part of Canada, Victoria B.C. Back in 1859 a war almost broke out between England and the U.S. over who these islands belonged to. It was eventually left up to a third party to decide. The arbitrator was the leader of Germany at the time, Kaiser Wilhelm. He sided with the U.S. and from that point on the San Juan islands belonged to us. And if you get a chance to go visit the islands you will be glad the Kaiser voted that way because they are a hidden gem right in Seattle's backyard. Gardens at Roche Harbor   Friday harbor is the main town amongst the islands. Its quirky shops and bookstores keep the tourists and locals entertained, while a storied company town history still shines through on San Juan as shown in the Co. store and historic lime kilns at Roche Harbor. Lime Kiln Lighthouse   Most of the business these days is from tourist, although one farmer has found a way t...

Kayaking in front of Chatterbox Falls, B.C.   After a successful and exciting summer season in Alaska I am guiding trips through British Columbia and the San Juan Islands for a little over a month. It is a wonderful time to be boating and adventuring in the area because most of the other summer cruisers have left the area. But we still have some chance for amazing weather. Victoria, B.C. lit up    The trips included some culture and town time like visiting the Royal B.C. Museum and having high tea in Victoria as well as touring around San Juan Island and the whale museum in Friday Harbor. But aside from these stops we spend the majority of our time out in the wilderness exploring marine parks, deserted islands. and a beautiful fjord called Princess Louisa Inlet. High Tea at the Empress in Victoria Robert Service Tribute Bar Transient Orca Encounter Pacific White Sided Dolphin   The food and drink onboard are top notch and the fact that ...

Pemaquid Ligthhouse Complex Leading Lines in the Rocks    I've always heard of the beauty of Maine's coastline and the majestic lighthouses that dot it. It was a goal of mine on this road trip to Maine to find some of the most beautiful of these ligthhouses. After asking around it seemed that everyone was pointing me in the same direction, towards the tip of the Pemaquid peninsula. As soon as I saw the coastline here I knew I had come to the right place. Heidi on the Cliff Reflections     Standing guard over the Pemaquid Neck is a lighthouse complex that dates back to 1827 when it was commissioned by John Quincy Adams. The lighthouse is locally famous, and is featured on the Maine State Quarter. But it is the geology of the cliffs below the lighthouse which really separates it from the pack. The rocky cliffs formed deep underground before being uplifted to the surface showing off some incredible metamorphism. Under intense pressure the rocks we...

   I had always heard that Maine was a beautiful place, with cute historical villages, and a rugged coastline. I had heard the tails of fishermen and lobsters but until now have never gotten a chance to experience the state myself. Heidi had planned a four day road trip to Maine for us and I was excited to finally see it first hand. Rockland Breakwall and tall ship   One things we always try to do when we go on road trips or to new places is to look up old friends. Not only is it a great way to reconnect but they can give you the local knowledge about their area. We first headed to Camden to track down our friend Phoebe who I last saw underwater scuba diving in Bali.   We had a wonderful time checking out towns like Rockland and Camden which all seem to be situated around bustling harbors filled with beautiful boats and wooden tall ships zipping in and out. We had a wild dinner at a wonderful little restaurant called the Rhum Line where the weather chan...