Work had me out to British Columbia this past week. A colleague and I had to get some of the equipment back up and running after some recent problems. We lucked out with the weather, there was some rain when we were crossing on the ferry Monday and a little bit early Tuesday morning, but the rest of the week was mostly sunny.
Shanna had some time off and was planning to go to Abbotsford, so when she heard I was coming, she planned her route via Saturna Island. It was good to see her.
This is the Four Winds B&B that we were staying at, it sits right on the water.
Before we headed to dinner on Wednesday we took in East Point. The island in the middle of the photo is a hangout for sea lions, seals, and bald eagles. It is about 200m offshore. This is an old fog alarm building.
Here are some of the sea lions (Otariinae), the grey mounds in the foreground are the seals. (Click on photo to enlarge)
There were two bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) on the island as well. (Click on photo to enlarge)
With the tide out there were lots of purple sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus).
Some of the seals (Phoca vitulina) in the water.
There was a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) sitting on the building.
As we got closer to the hawk on the building, it took off and landed in a nearby tree.
These were Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula).
We just missed the sunset by the time we got to the pub for dinner.
The next morning was clear so there was a nice sunrise.
The sun rising over Tumbo Island with Mt Baker in the background.
Waiting for the ferry back to Swartz Bay.
The ferry from Saturna Island to Mayne Island wasn’t that busy.
Leaving Saturna Island behind, the last time I was there was 4 years ago, hopefully it isn’t as long until the next trip.
We had to transfer at Mayne Island.
We got back to Vancouver Island and had dinner in Sidney at Shabai Thai, it was delicious. Shanna stayed with me in Sidney before catching an early ferry back to the main land Friday morning. I had an early flight back to Toronto.
