We had an awesomely terrific paddle today, in good weather made even better by contrast with the last week. And we learned something important that we really should have figured out before stumbling into someplace where we shouldn't have been paddling. It's salmon spawning season, people!
There's been days of rain that have the Beach House surrounded by an informal moat, here in the low land by Cadboro Bay. But this morning dawned bright as I hopped onto the bus to meet John and Louise and Richard for paddling on the Gorge.
There are plenty of pictures from this outing that John will probably post later. What may or may not show in the photos is how full of rainwater the creeks and rivers are around here, after days of rain. We paddled into Portage Inlet, and then up Colquitz Creek, a little river that comes across the Panama Flats after it drains Beaver and Elk Lakes. We were able to get quite far upstream into Cuthbert Holmes Park, behind the parking lot for Tillicum Mall, Silver City movie house, and Pearkes Arena.
It was a great day to be out, and we saw more wildlife than expected. First was a buck on the Gorge shoreline, then many Canada geese and mallard ducks on the way to Colquitz Creek. The water moved from time to time, but we couldn't see what was moving in the cloudy water of the stream.
John realized that as it was near high tide, and the creeks were running with rainwater, that we'd probably be able to go up Craigflower Creek all the way under the highway. We crossed Portage Inlet, and he was right! This creek too was swollen with rain and cloudy with silt in the water. We were able to go easily under the Helmecken Road bridge, and snuck around a fallen log to get towards the tunnel under the highway. Even surprising something under the water wasn't enough to cue me to what we'd been seeing in the creeks. I was looking around to see if a muskrat was swimming nearby, when Richard called out what he was seeing at the rocks that barred our passage further upstream.
Salmon.
Craigflower Creek is a salmon spawning stream! And apparently, so is Colquitz Creek.
Augh! And we were paddling among salmon that were resting in this pool before struggling upstream to the rocky area where they could spawn. We got out of there quickly. And on our way back through the Inlet and the Gorge, we saw at least four seals, one of whom seemed to be hunting salmon with a great deal of splashing.
I hadn't thought that either of these creeks had spawning salmon in them... little creek fish like sculpins, sure, but salmon coming up to spawn? These streams have muddy bottoms where we paddle near the estuaries, and salmon need gravel for spawning. I'd thought any local salmon runs had been wiped out by pollution when this area was being farmed and then subdivided into small lots for housing. But thinking about it, I should have known better and kept us out of the streams in autumn. There are salmon enhancement and conservation programs going on all over the south end of Vancouver Island. People are cleaning local streams. The local newspapers made a big deal out of salmon returning to Douglas Creek in Mount Douglas Park after decades of pollution keeping them out.
So, we've learned our lesson. We'll go exploring up streams in late winter, when the rain fills the streams, not in autumn.
Memo to all kayakers in their own home waters in this part of the world: Stay out of any creeks and streams and little rivers from half-past September through to the end of October! That's spawning season. And in May and June, keep away from baby seals on islands and shorelines in the ocean!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Vancouver Island Circumnavigation Attempt by Pedal-Power
Next Friday, Greg and Jordan Hanssen will launch from Comox on the east coast of Vancouver Island, and they expect the trip to take two to three weeks. The current record for a human-powered circumnavigation of the Island is held by kayaker Sean Morley, who completed a paddling trip around the Island in 17 days, 4 hours, and 49 minutes in September, 2008. (Former record holder Joe O'Blenis is looking to retake the kayaking record when he attempts another circumnavigation next June.)
You can follow Greg on his current record attempt and his preparations for his solo crossing to Hawaii on his blog, or his expedition web site. He's raising money and awareness (and bikes) for Kimberlee's Bikes for Kids.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Blog Action Day 2009 - Climate Change
Just in time for Blog Action Day 2009 comes this piece of news: Canada's rivers are at risk due to climate change and growing demand for water.
Canada is blessed with a huge supply of fresh water but this WWF-Canada report concludes that "...even seemingly remote northern waters like the Mackenzie are at risk. As temperatures rise, and industrial water withdrawals and interest in hydropower increase, we must start planning now to protect river flows to ensure water security for the communities and economies that depend on them." We are sowing what we have reaped, of course. Years of criminal inaction by our government has resulted in Canada being dead last in the world at meeting its paltry Kyoto commitments.
From the seat of my kayak I can offer anecdotal evidence that the climate is changing. Spring and Autumn used to be full-fledged seasons, now they are short three-week transition periods between Summer and Winter. Winters seem to be milder, although some may argue that as they recall last December's month-long barrage of below zero temperatures and snow. But that was the first significant snowfall in the region in 12 years. In the 1970s and early 1980s, I remember that we would get at least one or two good snowfalls every winter; now, we don't get snow at all. Summers are warmer and dryer, and I'm not the only one who thinks so.
Readers of this blog will know that my old van finally died a few weeks ago. I'm struggling with the decision of what to replace it with, or to even replace it at all. I don't want to be limited to one put-in, namely The Gorge at the bottom of my street, but traveling the island with our big kayaks requires a vehicle of some heft. Not an SUV necessarily, but something more than the fuel efficient environmentally friendly car that I should be aspiring to. I find myself feeling tremendously guilty when I look at cross-overs or mini-vans. I want to Do The Right Thing, but I don't want to sacrifice My Lifestyle to do it. I've already decided to never fly again, the carbon footprint from a jet plane is just too huge, yet I can't help but feel jealous when co-workers tell me stories of the week they've just spent in New York or of their Mexican vacation even though I know of the environmental damage wrought by their flight, and that they are either oblivious to it or just don't care.
But this is just the beginning of this kind of hard choice that we all are going to have to make if we are to survive. As Churchill said, we are entering a period of consequences.
I've been hearing about the so-called "greenhouse effect" since I was a child in the 1960s. Climate change is not a new issue, but has been dismissed as something future generations will have to deal with and solve, but the effects of climate change are with us today. The future is now. The time to act was 20 years ago.
We and our leaders have ignored it at our peril.
Canada is blessed with a huge supply of fresh water but this WWF-Canada report concludes that "...even seemingly remote northern waters like the Mackenzie are at risk. As temperatures rise, and industrial water withdrawals and interest in hydropower increase, we must start planning now to protect river flows to ensure water security for the communities and economies that depend on them." We are sowing what we have reaped, of course. Years of criminal inaction by our government has resulted in Canada being dead last in the world at meeting its paltry Kyoto commitments.
From the seat of my kayak I can offer anecdotal evidence that the climate is changing. Spring and Autumn used to be full-fledged seasons, now they are short three-week transition periods between Summer and Winter. Winters seem to be milder, although some may argue that as they recall last December's month-long barrage of below zero temperatures and snow. But that was the first significant snowfall in the region in 12 years. In the 1970s and early 1980s, I remember that we would get at least one or two good snowfalls every winter; now, we don't get snow at all. Summers are warmer and dryer, and I'm not the only one who thinks so.
Readers of this blog will know that my old van finally died a few weeks ago. I'm struggling with the decision of what to replace it with, or to even replace it at all. I don't want to be limited to one put-in, namely The Gorge at the bottom of my street, but traveling the island with our big kayaks requires a vehicle of some heft. Not an SUV necessarily, but something more than the fuel efficient environmentally friendly car that I should be aspiring to. I find myself feeling tremendously guilty when I look at cross-overs or mini-vans. I want to Do The Right Thing, but I don't want to sacrifice My Lifestyle to do it. I've already decided to never fly again, the carbon footprint from a jet plane is just too huge, yet I can't help but feel jealous when co-workers tell me stories of the week they've just spent in New York or of their Mexican vacation even though I know of the environmental damage wrought by their flight, and that they are either oblivious to it or just don't care.
But this is just the beginning of this kind of hard choice that we all are going to have to make if we are to survive. As Churchill said, we are entering a period of consequences.
I've been hearing about the so-called "greenhouse effect" since I was a child in the 1960s. Climate change is not a new issue, but has been dismissed as something future generations will have to deal with and solve, but the effects of climate change are with us today. The future is now. The time to act was 20 years ago.
We and our leaders have ignored it at our peril.
Monday, October 12, 2009
A Video For Thanksgiving
In lieu of actual kayaking this Thanksgiving Day weekend, how about some virtual kayaking?
A few weeks ago, Bernie had his video camera out and we shot some stuff around Cadboro Bay. Bernie's working on his own cut of the footage, but here's mine. Enjoy!
A few weeks ago, Bernie had his video camera out and we shot some stuff around Cadboro Bay. Bernie's working on his own cut of the footage, but here's mine. Enjoy!
Friday, October 09, 2009
To Hawaii on Foot Power
Yesterday's post about the HEPAV reminded me of another human-powered vehicle that we had mentioned on the blog a couple of years ago. Adventurer Greg Kolodziejzyk had planned to pedal this vehicle (seen here in sea trials off Tofino in 2008) across the Atlantic Ocean.That particular plan seems to have gone by the wayside, but in June of next year Greg plans to pedal a new and improved craft from Victoria to Hawaii, a distance of about 4500 km. You can follow his blog here, or his expedition web site here. He's raising money and awareness (and bikes) for Kimberlee's Bikes for Kids.
Check out the video of the new boat's first lake trial:
Thursday, October 08, 2009
For Your Feet Only
If James Bond was really serious about reducing his carbon footprint, he'd ask Q for one of these.
This is a HEPAV - a human powered electric amphibian vehicle, or as this Wired article describes it, "it's a actually just a trike with electric assist encapsulated in a buoyant waterproof shell that allows cyclists to pedal their way into rivers and ponds."
The inventor, David Buchwaldek, wanted the vehicle to be similar to a kayak, able to be carried in a car but easily pedaled to the shore. Sadly, because of its expensive and labour-intensive construction needs, it's likely to remain a one-off and not enter mass production.
On his website, you can find lots of pictures and info about his other creations, both human and electric powered.
Of course, the ultimate question is, does it float? The video below should answer that question.
Backbone
I've been out in my inflatables a lot these past months! If you've been reading Kayak Yak, you've seen photos of the inflatable kayaks in our little fleet of boats. They're from Advanced Elements, and you can check them out online at http://advancedelements.com/
These kayaks are sold locally through Pacifica Paddlesports in Brentwood Bay and Sidney, BC. I bought the Dragonfly from West Marine (who call it a Skedaddle), and have been raving about it ever since. The new version of this versatile little rec boat is called the Lagoon -- check it out! The only thing this kayak lacks is a full-length keel, so some users have been known to put a broomstick inside the hull, under the floor.
The Lagoon's big brother boats do have an option for a keel, though. It's called a Backbone. It's a take-apart bar with two shovel-shaped ends that fits comfortably inside the hull and under the floor. As I've mentioned before, there are different lengths for Backbones made to fit the Lagoon2, the AdvancedFrame, the Expedition, and the AdvancedFrame Convertible.
The recent gift from Lee of a Backbone has really been welcome. I've tried it a couple of times now, and have realized something important about Advanced Elements kayaks -- I'm pretty darned small and light compared to their designs. When these boats are listed as carrying up to, say, 250 pounds, that means that a husky fisherman, tackle box, cooler and a depth finder or somedamnsuch. A 160-pound paddler really needs some heavy gear inside the Expedition, and should only benefit from adding a few gear bags or water bottles.
Installing the Backbone inside my Expedition means that the kayak feels more rigid. It doesn't ripple as much, front to back, during its supple ride across the top of little waves. As well, I sit at least an inch or more higher than without the Backbone. There are some reviews on the discussion forum at http://advancedelements.com/ that praise the feeling of sitting higher. I didn't like that feeling any more than riding without the Backbone. But now I understand why some paddlers like sitting higher: they're used to fishing out of sit-on-top kayaks.
I'm not. I'm used to sitting inside a hardshell kayak. With my blue Old Town Adventure kayak, I even got Bernie to take out the seat and put in a Necky foam seat that glued directly to the inside of the hull. But I don't mind this ride, sitting higher with the Backbone. It's not as if it can be felt under the inflatable floor. What I can feel is the Expedition around me as a more rigid frame. It's easier to press against the footrest bar, and that makes paddling a full-body experience instead of just flailing with my arms. That's terrific!
The extra weight of the Backbone isn't a big problem for me. When I want a very light, portable boat, I use the little 8'4" Dragonfly anyway. But where a 13-foot kayak is the right choice, it's worth bringing along the Backbone. It's less work and more fun to paddle with it, and the Expedition glides better.
What makes these inflatables work for me is not just that I can carry them on the bus or stuff them into a car trunk -- though the portable quality is a big plus. What works for me is that paddling these inflatables feels like what I'm looking for most of the time when paddling any kind of kayak. These aren't stiff toy dinghies or pool toys. And as our paddle group keeps saying, "Whatever gets you on the water."
These kayaks are sold locally through Pacifica Paddlesports in Brentwood Bay and Sidney, BC. I bought the Dragonfly from West Marine (who call it a Skedaddle), and have been raving about it ever since. The new version of this versatile little rec boat is called the Lagoon -- check it out! The only thing this kayak lacks is a full-length keel, so some users have been known to put a broomstick inside the hull, under the floor.
The Lagoon's big brother boats do have an option for a keel, though. It's called a Backbone. It's a take-apart bar with two shovel-shaped ends that fits comfortably inside the hull and under the floor. As I've mentioned before, there are different lengths for Backbones made to fit the Lagoon2, the AdvancedFrame, the Expedition, and the AdvancedFrame Convertible.
The recent gift from Lee of a Backbone has really been welcome. I've tried it a couple of times now, and have realized something important about Advanced Elements kayaks -- I'm pretty darned small and light compared to their designs. When these boats are listed as carrying up to, say, 250 pounds, that means that a husky fisherman, tackle box, cooler and a depth finder or somedamnsuch. A 160-pound paddler really needs some heavy gear inside the Expedition, and should only benefit from adding a few gear bags or water bottles.
Installing the Backbone inside my Expedition means that the kayak feels more rigid. It doesn't ripple as much, front to back, during its supple ride across the top of little waves. As well, I sit at least an inch or more higher than without the Backbone. There are some reviews on the discussion forum at http://advancedelements.com/ that praise the feeling of sitting higher. I didn't like that feeling any more than riding without the Backbone. But now I understand why some paddlers like sitting higher: they're used to fishing out of sit-on-top kayaks.
I'm not. I'm used to sitting inside a hardshell kayak. With my blue Old Town Adventure kayak, I even got Bernie to take out the seat and put in a Necky foam seat that glued directly to the inside of the hull. But I don't mind this ride, sitting higher with the Backbone. It's not as if it can be felt under the inflatable floor. What I can feel is the Expedition around me as a more rigid frame. It's easier to press against the footrest bar, and that makes paddling a full-body experience instead of just flailing with my arms. That's terrific!
The extra weight of the Backbone isn't a big problem for me. When I want a very light, portable boat, I use the little 8'4" Dragonfly anyway. But where a 13-foot kayak is the right choice, it's worth bringing along the Backbone. It's less work and more fun to paddle with it, and the Expedition glides better.
What makes these inflatables work for me is not just that I can carry them on the bus or stuff them into a car trunk -- though the portable quality is a big plus. What works for me is that paddling these inflatables feels like what I'm looking for most of the time when paddling any kind of kayak. These aren't stiff toy dinghies or pool toys. And as our paddle group keeps saying, "Whatever gets you on the water."
Monday, October 05, 2009
Road Trip!
We gave kayaking a rest this weekend and headed over to Salt Spring Island for the 11th Annual Apple Festival. If you like apples, this is the place for you. Or so we hear.
First we have to get there. Salt Spring Island is a 35 minute ferry ride from the Swartz Bay Ferry terminal north of Victoria.
Louise, Paula, Bernie and I boarded the MV Skeena Queen for the short hop. Although it was clear and sunny, we were buffeted by 20 knot winds, so it was probably a wise decision to skip the kayaking today.
Our trip wasn't totally devoid of kayaking related activities. We were also going to take the opportunity to hunt down some put-ins, and the first one we found was in Fulford Harbour, near where the ferry docks. Follow the road around the north-west end point of the harbour and you come to a small park, a perfect spot to launch from, with parking and easy beach access.
Also at the park is a petroglyph...
...which Paula cleaned up and took a rubbing of.
From there, it was a quick jaunt to the Fulford Harbour Hall and the first stop on the Apple Festival Tour. Here we found a zillion different varieties of apples on display, as well as info booths, tour maps and 4-H Club displays. There was also some delicious-looking pies for sale, but the line-up for those was just too long.
From there we headed to Ganges, the largest town on the island. Home to a weekly summer market, Ganges is your prototypical we(s)tcoast town -- quaintly charming and old school, but containing enough shops, restaurants and activites to keep the tourists entertained, such as Island Escapades, a kayak shop right on the water in downtown Ganges.
Driving through town, if you stick close to the water you'll pass another kayak store, Salt Spring Adventure Co., and there's a nice put-in here with plenty of parking. (Or if you feel like commando kayaking, Salt Spring also has transit service timed to coincide with ferry arrivals and departures.)
If I may be allowed to digress for a moment, many people have asked me for advice in regards to taking great pictures. Here's some tips. First, always make sure your subject is in a flattering pose. Next, make sure that nothing is blocking their face. And if all else fails, at least make sure that your subject is facing the camera.
From Ganges, we headed north through the village of Vesuvius on our way to the north part of the island. At Vesuvius, we stopped at a roadside lemonade stand. Paula and Bernie may be ex-hippies, but they are entrepreneurial ex-hippies and always stop at lemonade stands. "It's a rule," says Bernie.
At the northern tip we reached the next stop on the tour, Blue Horse Gallery.
Salt Spring is home to a wide variety of artisans and here we discovered a small art gallery and lunch spot which served a warm and wonderful apple, blueberry and lemon tart. We also spotted a few of the rare Salt Spring Drift Wood Salmon.
From there we headed south and scouted out another kayak put-in at the ferry terminal at Long Harbour. The terminal sits on the narrow isthmus of Welbury Point that splits two bays. On one side is Long Harbour where the ferry to the other Gulf Islands and Vancouver docks. There's not really a good location here to launch a kayak (and of course BC Ferries frowns upon it), but literally right across the street is Welbury Bay.
Here there's a short but steep walkway down to a small but servicable beach.
And someone has set up some wheels to presumably assist people with kayaks or canoes down the path. It is a cramped beach, so if you're in a group, you'll be launching one at a time.
We continued south to Neptune Farm. While Louise and Paula checked out the produce and yummies, Bernie and I explored a bit, discovering this cool straw and mud building...
...and Chester, the one-eyed cat.
Okay, I don't really know if his name was Chester, but for some reason giving a one-eyed cat the name of Chester seems to work for me. At Neptune Farm, they also offer yoga and meditation services. And they had yummy baked goods. I had a fresh apple cinnamon bun, while Paula had a, er, um, actually, I don't remember what she had. But I bet it had apples in it.
Here, we also bumped into national Green Party leader Elizabeth May who will be running here in the next federal election. She seemed pretty down to earth for a politician, and yes, she drives a Hybrid.
Salt Spring Island is an interesting community. It markets itself as a "tree-hugging community" but there is a sizable portion of "tree-killers" on the island as well. The property next to Neptune Farms had a sign up in the yard saying, "Please Chant Louder. I Can Still Think." On another part of the island we saw a sign that was a little less subtle: "Private Property! No Trespassing! No Fucking Hippies!"
There were 18 farms taking part in the Apple Festival and there was just no time to see them all. Our final stop (after a quick stop at another lemonade stand) was AppleLuscious Organic Orchard, where they grow something like 200 varieties of apples, and many of which had samples laid out for the tasting...
...as well as some chickens wandering around.
We made our way back to Fulford Harbour...
...to await the ferry to carry us back towards Victoria.
And what sort of sea kayaking blog would this be without at least one picture of seals?
First we have to get there. Salt Spring Island is a 35 minute ferry ride from the Swartz Bay Ferry terminal north of Victoria.
Louise, Paula, Bernie and I boarded the MV Skeena Queen for the short hop. Although it was clear and sunny, we were buffeted by 20 knot winds, so it was probably a wise decision to skip the kayaking today.
Our trip wasn't totally devoid of kayaking related activities. We were also going to take the opportunity to hunt down some put-ins, and the first one we found was in Fulford Harbour, near where the ferry docks. Follow the road around the north-west end point of the harbour and you come to a small park, a perfect spot to launch from, with parking and easy beach access.
Also at the park is a petroglyph...
...which Paula cleaned up and took a rubbing of.
From there, it was a quick jaunt to the Fulford Harbour Hall and the first stop on the Apple Festival Tour. Here we found a zillion different varieties of apples on display, as well as info booths, tour maps and 4-H Club displays. There was also some delicious-looking pies for sale, but the line-up for those was just too long.
From there we headed to Ganges, the largest town on the island. Home to a weekly summer market, Ganges is your prototypical we(s)tcoast town -- quaintly charming and old school, but containing enough shops, restaurants and activites to keep the tourists entertained, such as Island Escapades, a kayak shop right on the water in downtown Ganges.
Driving through town, if you stick close to the water you'll pass another kayak store, Salt Spring Adventure Co., and there's a nice put-in here with plenty of parking. (Or if you feel like commando kayaking, Salt Spring also has transit service timed to coincide with ferry arrivals and departures.)
If I may be allowed to digress for a moment, many people have asked me for advice in regards to taking great pictures. Here's some tips. First, always make sure your subject is in a flattering pose. Next, make sure that nothing is blocking their face. And if all else fails, at least make sure that your subject is facing the camera.
From Ganges, we headed north through the village of Vesuvius on our way to the north part of the island. At Vesuvius, we stopped at a roadside lemonade stand. Paula and Bernie may be ex-hippies, but they are entrepreneurial ex-hippies and always stop at lemonade stands. "It's a rule," says Bernie.
At the northern tip we reached the next stop on the tour, Blue Horse Gallery.
Salt Spring is home to a wide variety of artisans and here we discovered a small art gallery and lunch spot which served a warm and wonderful apple, blueberry and lemon tart. We also spotted a few of the rare Salt Spring Drift Wood Salmon.
From there we headed south and scouted out another kayak put-in at the ferry terminal at Long Harbour. The terminal sits on the narrow isthmus of Welbury Point that splits two bays. On one side is Long Harbour where the ferry to the other Gulf Islands and Vancouver docks. There's not really a good location here to launch a kayak (and of course BC Ferries frowns upon it), but literally right across the street is Welbury Bay.
Here there's a short but steep walkway down to a small but servicable beach.
And someone has set up some wheels to presumably assist people with kayaks or canoes down the path. It is a cramped beach, so if you're in a group, you'll be launching one at a time.
We continued south to Neptune Farm. While Louise and Paula checked out the produce and yummies, Bernie and I explored a bit, discovering this cool straw and mud building...
...and Chester, the one-eyed cat.
Okay, I don't really know if his name was Chester, but for some reason giving a one-eyed cat the name of Chester seems to work for me. At Neptune Farm, they also offer yoga and meditation services. And they had yummy baked goods. I had a fresh apple cinnamon bun, while Paula had a, er, um, actually, I don't remember what she had. But I bet it had apples in it.
Here, we also bumped into national Green Party leader Elizabeth May who will be running here in the next federal election. She seemed pretty down to earth for a politician, and yes, she drives a Hybrid.
Salt Spring Island is an interesting community. It markets itself as a "tree-hugging community" but there is a sizable portion of "tree-killers" on the island as well. The property next to Neptune Farms had a sign up in the yard saying, "Please Chant Louder. I Can Still Think." On another part of the island we saw a sign that was a little less subtle: "Private Property! No Trespassing! No Fucking Hippies!"
There were 18 farms taking part in the Apple Festival and there was just no time to see them all. Our final stop (after a quick stop at another lemonade stand) was AppleLuscious Organic Orchard, where they grow something like 200 varieties of apples, and many of which had samples laid out for the tasting...
...as well as some chickens wandering around.
We made our way back to Fulford Harbour...
...to await the ferry to carry us back towards Victoria.
And what sort of sea kayaking blog would this be without at least one picture of seals?
Friday, October 02, 2009
How to Report a Sea Animal Sighting or Incident
Have you been lucky enough to see one of the large marine mammals or sea turtles in Canadian waters? It’s a good idea to learn more about these animals and what to do if you see them.
The short answer is: Don't Get Close!
Here is the website for the department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/index-eng.htm There’s a French version of the website.
On both sides of the page’s centre column are lists of useful links. Top right is the link to report a sighting or an incident http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/report-signaler-eng.htm This is a terrifically useful link! Go here to find the three links where you can report an incident of a marine animal in distress, or seeing a leatherback turtle, or seeing any whales, dolphins or porpoises. It’s worth taking a minute to scroll down and read all the details, so you’ll have an idea what to do.
The page's comments on reporting an incident of an animal in distress are important enough to be worth quoting here:
Report an incident
Incidents involving marine mammals and sea turtles along our coastline are an unfortunate reality. At DFO, we do our best to monitor marine areas and respond to a range of incidents, but we also rely on information provided by the public.
An incident is a situation involving an animal in which some form of response may be required to assist in rescue and rehabilitation, collection of scientific sampling and data, or enforcement concerns. Incidents may involve marine mammals or turtles that are found alive, injured or dead. Some common examples of incidents include:
· An animal being harassed or injured
· An injured or sick animal exhibiting highly unusual behaviour
· A live whale, dolphin or porpoise stranded on land
· A collision between an animal and a vessel, or an animal that appears to have been struck by a vessel
· An animal that has become entangled in a net or other debris
· A dead marine mammal or sea turtle
· An animal that is tagged or branded
· A marine mammal or sea turtle seen in an unusual location or a species not commonly seen in BC (see below to report a sighting)
If you observe, encounter or even just hear about an incident, please call DFO’s Observe, Record and Report 24-hour hotline at 1-800-465-4336. Response time can be crucial and is greatly assisted by detailed observations, so your reports are very important. Prompt reporting ensures that a rapid and effective rescue action can be initiated, resulting in a greater chance for survival for live animals or determination of cause of death in dead animals.
When reporting an incident, you may be asked to provide:
· Date and time you found the animal or witnessed the incident
· Specific location, including latitude and longitude (if available) or driving directions (if accessible by land)
· Species or type of animal, including a description of the size, colour, features
· Condition of the animal – alive, sick or injured, freshly dead, badly rotting away
· Number of animals involved
· Your contact information, including name and phone number
Caution: Please do not touch or move an animal yourself. Marine mammals can carry diseases transmissible to humans, or you may inadvertently do more harm to the animal. DFO coordinates a network of government and non-government experts in disentanglement, strandings, animal illness, and behavioural assessment.
While not every incident warrants a field response or further investigation, all reports are recorded and contribute to a better understanding of these species and the threats they face.
Your assistance in supporting this important conservation and research program is sincerely appreciated.
And although the DFO's website doesn't have any mention here of sea monsters, unicorns or Cadborosaurus, I've always found it charming that British Columbia and Canada have laws intended to protect such animals just in case they do exist. If a Sasquatch or a Cadborosaurus ever turns up, it is protected under the same laws that protect endangered animals. That's not just humour in action: there have been new species of deer found in Vietnam recently, so large animals are still being discovered in various places around the world.
Considering how elephant seals have made surprising appearances here on Vancouver Island this year, I'm keeping my eye open for them and other large sea animals!
The short answer is: Don't Get Close!
Here is the website for the department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/index-eng.htm There’s a French version of the website.
On both sides of the page’s centre column are lists of useful links. Top right is the link to report a sighting or an incident http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/report-signaler-eng.htm This is a terrifically useful link! Go here to find the three links where you can report an incident of a marine animal in distress, or seeing a leatherback turtle, or seeing any whales, dolphins or porpoises. It’s worth taking a minute to scroll down and read all the details, so you’ll have an idea what to do.
The page's comments on reporting an incident of an animal in distress are important enough to be worth quoting here:
Report an incident
Incidents involving marine mammals and sea turtles along our coastline are an unfortunate reality. At DFO, we do our best to monitor marine areas and respond to a range of incidents, but we also rely on information provided by the public.
An incident is a situation involving an animal in which some form of response may be required to assist in rescue and rehabilitation, collection of scientific sampling and data, or enforcement concerns. Incidents may involve marine mammals or turtles that are found alive, injured or dead. Some common examples of incidents include:
· An animal being harassed or injured
· An injured or sick animal exhibiting highly unusual behaviour
· A live whale, dolphin or porpoise stranded on land
· A collision between an animal and a vessel, or an animal that appears to have been struck by a vessel
· An animal that has become entangled in a net or other debris
· A dead marine mammal or sea turtle
· An animal that is tagged or branded
· A marine mammal or sea turtle seen in an unusual location or a species not commonly seen in BC (see below to report a sighting)
If you observe, encounter or even just hear about an incident, please call DFO’s Observe, Record and Report 24-hour hotline at 1-800-465-4336. Response time can be crucial and is greatly assisted by detailed observations, so your reports are very important. Prompt reporting ensures that a rapid and effective rescue action can be initiated, resulting in a greater chance for survival for live animals or determination of cause of death in dead animals.
When reporting an incident, you may be asked to provide:
· Date and time you found the animal or witnessed the incident
· Specific location, including latitude and longitude (if available) or driving directions (if accessible by land)
· Species or type of animal, including a description of the size, colour, features
· Condition of the animal – alive, sick or injured, freshly dead, badly rotting away
· Number of animals involved
· Your contact information, including name and phone number
Caution: Please do not touch or move an animal yourself. Marine mammals can carry diseases transmissible to humans, or you may inadvertently do more harm to the animal. DFO coordinates a network of government and non-government experts in disentanglement, strandings, animal illness, and behavioural assessment.
While not every incident warrants a field response or further investigation, all reports are recorded and contribute to a better understanding of these species and the threats they face.
Your assistance in supporting this important conservation and research program is sincerely appreciated.
And although the DFO's website doesn't have any mention here of sea monsters, unicorns or Cadborosaurus, I've always found it charming that British Columbia and Canada have laws intended to protect such animals just in case they do exist. If a Sasquatch or a Cadborosaurus ever turns up, it is protected under the same laws that protect endangered animals. That's not just humour in action: there have been new species of deer found in Vietnam recently, so large animals are still being discovered in various places around the world.
Considering how elephant seals have made surprising appearances here on Vancouver Island this year, I'm keeping my eye open for them and other large sea animals!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Local Humpback Hit By Boat
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Local kayak guide Kevin Bradshaw watched two other humpbacks swimming close to the injured one, and noted that other whales in the area have suffered similar injuries.
If you see marine mammals in distress, call the B.C. Marine Mammal Response Network at 1-800-465-4336
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Gorge Redux
Another sunny Sunday, another paddle in The Gorge. With no solution to the dead van problem, we are still limited to the home waters of The Gorge. Paula joined Louise and I for another paddle yesterday morning under clear warm skies.
We headed down to the narrows at Tillicum Bridge and paddled through. There was just a small current flooding current, and not the often seen roaring rapids.
We weren't the only paddlers out. This outrigger canoe passed us a few times, and we saw other kayakers enjoying this gorgeous Autumn weekend. There won't be many more weekends like this so we better enjoy them when they happen.
There were lots of geese out yesterday. I'm guessing that a lot were passing through on their way south, although there is a sizable number who live here all year.
And later, we caught up with the local swan family. We were a little concerned as we saw the parents and only two of the (now very large) baby swans. We'd seen all five swans last weekend, so we eared that something might have happened to the other baby swan.
But a few minutes later we found the final baby feeding on his own. It looks like he's all grown up now and has moved out of his parents' basement.
Trip Length: 8.91 km
YTD: 320.14
More pictures are here.
The Google Earth kmz is here.
We headed down to the narrows at Tillicum Bridge and paddled through. There was just a small current flooding current, and not the often seen roaring rapids.
We weren't the only paddlers out. This outrigger canoe passed us a few times, and we saw other kayakers enjoying this gorgeous Autumn weekend. There won't be many more weekends like this so we better enjoy them when they happen.
There were lots of geese out yesterday. I'm guessing that a lot were passing through on their way south, although there is a sizable number who live here all year.
And later, we caught up with the local swan family. We were a little concerned as we saw the parents and only two of the (now very large) baby swans. We'd seen all five swans last weekend, so we eared that something might have happened to the other baby swan.
But a few minutes later we found the final baby feeding on his own. It looks like he's all grown up now and has moved out of his parents' basement.
Trip Length: 8.91 km
YTD: 320.14
More pictures are here.
The Google Earth kmz is here.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Marina Battle Continues
Or that was the plan, anyway, but the City of Victoria backed out at the last minute, leaving only provincial and federal representatives in attendance, as well as the plan's backers and an audience numbering about 350.
Despite not officially attending, Mayor Dean Fortin finally spoke publicly on the matter earlier in the day, telling an interviewer, ""What is being proposed is beyond what's been envisioned, in both scope and scale."
In another development, the South Island Sea Kayakers Association (SISKA) has presented a legal brief opposing the plans to Federal Minister John Baird. SISKA wants a public hearing on the proposal. Dorothea Hoffman, SISKA's treasurer said, "Safety issues, public access to these navigable waters by non-powered vessels and the lack of proper public consultation process are the underlying issues that the independent review panel would be asked to consider, and it's the only vehicle which would provide for full public participation and full disclosure of the potential impact of the proposed marina."
The project must approved by two federal departments and a provincial department before the developers can apply to the City of Victoria for a permit to build the project.
Help stop the marina by clicking here.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Gorge
The last weekend of summer. And a glorious weekend it was. Warm temperatures, clear skies, calm winds. All weekends should be like this.
The only downside is that with the death of the van last week, we temporarily have no wheels to take our kayaks anywhere. But perhaps I should amend that. We have no motorized wheels to take our kayaks anywhere; we do have our kayak wheel carts to push our kayaks down the hill to launch on the Gorge. Paula and her inflatable joined Louise and I in our Deltas for a paddle under bright sunny skies.
We saw this cormorant high up in this tree, usually at the height where the eagles sit. Speaking of eagles, we've hardly seen any around the last few weeks. We think they're probably congregating near salmon streams for some easy pickings as the salmon are now running upriver to spawn.
These ducks found a nice spot to sit and laze away the day.
As we moved into Portage Inlet, we saw the swans floating towards us....
...but they weren't coming to us, but to a family that had called them over to give them a little breakfast. These just might be the best-fed swans on the planet.
The cat looked on jealously.
Then the cat soon became interested in me: a huge half-person, half-fish. I bet he thought that he could feed on me for a year.
We wandered up Colquitz Creek to Admirals Road where this new bridge is being built. It was supposed to have opened two weeks ago, but it's still closed. It looks finished. Skateboarders are enjoying the new pavement on it.
On the way back, this heron posed for a few quick snaps.
As we neared the end of our paddle we spotted Brian and Marie on their recumbent tandem, and Brian hopes to join us for a paddle next week.
Trip Length: 8.14 km
YTD: 311.23
More pictures are here.
The Google Earth kmz is here.
The only downside is that with the death of the van last week, we temporarily have no wheels to take our kayaks anywhere. But perhaps I should amend that. We have no motorized wheels to take our kayaks anywhere; we do have our kayak wheel carts to push our kayaks down the hill to launch on the Gorge. Paula and her inflatable joined Louise and I in our Deltas for a paddle under bright sunny skies.
We saw this cormorant high up in this tree, usually at the height where the eagles sit. Speaking of eagles, we've hardly seen any around the last few weeks. We think they're probably congregating near salmon streams for some easy pickings as the salmon are now running upriver to spawn.
These ducks found a nice spot to sit and laze away the day.
As we moved into Portage Inlet, we saw the swans floating towards us....
...but they weren't coming to us, but to a family that had called them over to give them a little breakfast. These just might be the best-fed swans on the planet.
The cat looked on jealously.
Then the cat soon became interested in me: a huge half-person, half-fish. I bet he thought that he could feed on me for a year.
We wandered up Colquitz Creek to Admirals Road where this new bridge is being built. It was supposed to have opened two weeks ago, but it's still closed. It looks finished. Skateboarders are enjoying the new pavement on it.
On the way back, this heron posed for a few quick snaps.
As we neared the end of our paddle we spotted Brian and Marie on their recumbent tandem, and Brian hopes to join us for a paddle next week.
Trip Length: 8.14 km
YTD: 311.23
More pictures are here.
The Google Earth kmz is here.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Ocean River Gear Grab
Today was Ocean River's annual Fall Sale, a sure sign that the seasons are changing. (Another sign was the winds that blew in during the afternoon.)
Richard was either sad or still asleep:
Louise was annoyed that I was taking her picture:
Bernie was Bernie:
and Paula was performing mime, likely a portrayal of the various ways she plans to kill me if I ever post this picture on the blog.
I, of course, was much too photogenic to even bother with taking a picture of myself. It's a curse.
Under the tent we went for bargains and I was seconds away from snagging a used Werner Kalliste paddle, but a man (whose real is unknown but will be forever referred to as "Some Bastard") got to it seconds before I did.
Richard gave a good grope to the new Tahe Marine Greenland boat that's getting rave reviews. We both agreed that it's a fine looking looking boat and that after radical hip reduction surgery and maybe a leg amputation, we might actually be able to get inside one of them.
We escaped mostly intact. Louise picked up an Icebreaker top. Richard picked up a pair of gloves to replace a pair he lost surfing, but there were rumours that he was going back in to buy more clothes. Paula chatted up the folks from Wavelength Magazine and Bernie went next door to have a coffee. The one-piece fleece I had been watching for the last couple of weeks that I had wanted to pick up for under my drysuit wasn't there today. Some Bastard must have grabbed it.
Now to start saving pennies for next spring's sale!
Richard was either sad or still asleep:
Louise was annoyed that I was taking her picture:
Bernie was Bernie:
and Paula was performing mime, likely a portrayal of the various ways she plans to kill me if I ever post this picture on the blog.
I, of course, was much too photogenic to even bother with taking a picture of myself. It's a curse.
Under the tent we went for bargains and I was seconds away from snagging a used Werner Kalliste paddle, but a man (whose real is unknown but will be forever referred to as "Some Bastard") got to it seconds before I did.
Richard gave a good grope to the new Tahe Marine Greenland boat that's getting rave reviews. We both agreed that it's a fine looking looking boat and that after radical hip reduction surgery and maybe a leg amputation, we might actually be able to get inside one of them.
We escaped mostly intact. Louise picked up an Icebreaker top. Richard picked up a pair of gloves to replace a pair he lost surfing, but there were rumours that he was going back in to buy more clothes. Paula chatted up the folks from Wavelength Magazine and Bernie went next door to have a coffee. The one-piece fleece I had been watching for the last couple of weeks that I had wanted to pick up for under my drysuit wasn't there today. Some Bastard must have grabbed it.
Now to start saving pennies for next spring's sale!
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