Another Great Day on the Ocean

We had another great day on the Ocean yesterday with our wildlife viewing tour of the Discovery Islands. The tour departed from Campbell River.  The day started out with a bit of rain but once we got out on the water the clouds parted and we experienced a lovely sunny day with calm waters.

Campbell River Marina

A pod of 8 Orcas or Killer Whales were spotted off the South-west side of Quadra Island.  They were just hanging about, not breaching (usually only do that when they are killing something for dinner).  It was really cool, they would surface for a couple of minutes and then go down for 6-8 minutes.  We just shut off the boat's motor and sat there quietly.  It was so nice to be able to hear them blow water and surface in the quietness of the bay.  We watched them for approximately 1.5 hours then went on to Mitlenatch Island which is also part of the Discovery Islands.

Transient Orcas on West side of Quadra Island

Transient Orcas on West side of Quadra Island

Mitlenatch Island is essentially a bird sanctuary which you can only access by boat.  There are University students there year round helping to protect the bird species on the Island while at the same time doing research.  Apparently the largest Garter snakes in the world live here - size due to their steady diet of bird eggs (completely harmless docile snakes commonly found in BC).

Mitlenatch Island Bird Sanctuary

There were several harbour seals spotted lying in the rocks around Mitlenatch Island.

Harbour Seals on Mitlenatch Island

The Island is home to many birds.  We spotted this Heron and her nest.  There is a Cormorant standing right next to her - apparently birds know how to live together peacefully.

Blue Heron with Nest (Cormorant beside) on Mitlenatch Island

We spotted these Cormorant's nests on the side of the cliff.  It gets pretty windy here but is considered a desert - type climate so little rain.  Seemed like an odd spot to me to build a nest but they feel very safe.

Cormorant Nests on Mitlenatch island

I love sea creatures of all kinds and am completely fascinated by jellyfish.  And yes, I have been stung by them, not here on Vancouver Island but swimming off the coast of Mexico.

Jellyfish at Campbell River Harbour

Crab at Campbell River Harbour

We also saw this neat purple/reddish jellyfish which I believe is a 1 foot Lion's Mane jellyfish (correct me if I am wrong).  We often spot these guys dead washed up on the beach.  This is the first time I have seen a live one.  This was off the dock at Campbell River.

(Lion's Mane?)  Jellyfish at Campbell River Harbour

There is nothing I like more than spending the day on the ocean and Sunday was one of those great days. We are returning to the Discovery Islands in two weeks time for two nights to go kayaking and I can't wait!