A Gift from the Sea

A south easterly gale that was present over these past two days finally let up and allowed us to venture out on a tour this afternoon. Although the strength of the wind had dropped significantly, the remanence of wind chop remained. At times we could taste the salt on our lips as the occasional spray of ocean mist refreshed our faces as it sprung playfully up over the bow.

Johnstone Strait was the roughest of our open passageways so we stuck by the sheltered islands and islets, and spent most of our time in Blackfish Sound and the entrance to Queen Charlotte Strait. Thankfully this is where all the action was.

A massive bait ball had formed which enticed the local wildlife. Thousands of gulls, common murres, rhinoceros auklets and other bird species came together like moths attracted to a street lamp. They flapped their wings to gather momentum for a dive, and then gathered a beak full of juvenile herring which flashed brightly when brought to the surface. And right in amongst them Humpback whales also foraged.

How delightful and mesmerizing to witness two very different species sharing in the same food source and doing so cooperatively. Perhaps there is a benefit to feeding so close together.  Maybe the Humpback stirred up the water and brought the schooling fish up to the surface, making it available for the foraging birds.

It was a moody afternoon with somewhat vigorous seas, a frenzy of animal behaviour and the storm-grey seas and sky. The mountains seemed far away, as though in another dimension behind a veil of mist and teasing rain. It was a day that energized us, a tour that gifted us with treasures from the sea.