Haida Gwaii Sea Otters

In Haida Gwaii, the Sea Otter was a prized commodity by the European ships in the Fur Trades a hundred years ago. It was so popular, they were hunted to extinction. The First Nations on the Coast would trade for copper and other prized items from the new world.
Sea Otters dissappeared until now. They have now been sighted in Rennel Sound, Cape St James and Langara Island. It seems they are making a comeback where the food supply for them is rich in these waters. Sea Urchin and Abalone are staples in thier diet.
We found these two in different locations around Langara Island. The first ones I have seen in Haida Gwaii.

Hotspring Island Foot Bath

 I had the chance to make it to the famous Hotspring's Island in Haida Gwaii.  As a result of the huge Earthquake in October 27, 2012, a 7.7  magnitude, the hotsprings have dried up. There are a couple of small ponds full of hot water below the tide line. I had the chance to soak my foot in there as I had the opportunity. This is a huge tourist attraction and we can only hope it returns in the near future.

Botany Black Bears

I have seen some bears walking salmon streams before, but the ones in Botany Inlet, Tasu, Haida Gwaii have got to be some of the largest fattest creatures I've seen for a long time. The creeks here had a good run of salmon and these bears knew it. The Chum salmon return back to their natal streams where the bears, eagles and other animals gorge themselves on solid protein and fatty fish for the winter. I was hoping to get a photo of a bear with a salmon in its mouth and happened upon the above picture. Its not a close up but one can see the amazing landscape we get to hike while enumerating the salmon streams. The day in Tasu, we saw 11 Black bears and 4 Transient Orca in the area.

Anthony Island Experience

  I had the opportunity to work with 4 people from Parks Canada, working on the Village Site at Sgaang Gwaii, on Anthony Island in Haida Gwaii in the National Park Reserve. We had the task of cleaning up around the totem poles and the old big houses on this site. A really cool opportunity as these totems are classified as a World Heritage Site, designated by UNESCO. The mornings I spent here were set with perfect light as the sun rose from the east. I took a hundred or more photos and relished in the idea that I was cleaning up a site that had been around more than 100 years. Very difficult to get to, only accessible by boat or floatplane in the South end of Haida Gwaii.

Pitt Island Humpbacks

Quite often we see the Humpback Whale in its natural environment on the coast, but only a few times have I seen them bubble feed within focal range. Not only is it tricky to find them feeding on the rare occasion, its difficult to capture them on film as they lunge out of the water because they are quick and always appear to be exactly where you are not looking. I saw them lunge out three times and only once was I semi close. Amazing to see the gaping mouth of a Humpback open wide and the huge amount of water spill out as they filter out there food. Spectacular!   

North Coast of Haida Gwaii

The North Coast of Haida Gwaii has two geographic icons that should be a must see if you have a chance. Tow hill (above) on North Beach and Pillar Rock (below) just south of Langara island are two remaining carvings left by the Glaciers thousands of years ago. Tow Hill is a popular attraction for the long beach that is surrounding it. People camp, surf, dig clams and crab here,year round. It is accessible by road. Pillar Rock is more of a fishing spot than it is a destination for the camper. Accessible mainly by boat, it is surrounded by rocky beaches and wildlife that is endless. Haida Gwaii is special in many ways, and each coast line has its own identity.

Salmon are Sacred

A Classic Troller named "Contessa" works the waters in Northern Haida Gwaii fishing for Coho and Chinook salmon. These hardworking fisherman spend day after day filling there holds with their catch. As it says on the side of the boat - SALMONARESACRED.ORG
A connection these fisherman have with the resource we try to maintain. These are wild salmon going to the grocery stores and restaurants, not the farmed salmon most locals stay away from. Take a look at the web site and educate yourself on the salmon fishery in British Columbia and the Fish Farm industry in BC. Personally, I would rather not have the fish farms here in our waters.