Black Bear Brunch

Tofino is Canada's surfing capital.  I was determined to learn how to surf while here.  Yes, the do surf in October here.  However, after traveling and severely over doing it on  climbing Mount Erskine in Salt Spring Island, I felt I didn't have the strength to take on the surf, and cold.  So while having coffee at a local shop I overheard a conversation in which a gentleman was looking for someone to go photograph trees and bears with.  I jumped in and said I was interested.

As it turned out Godfrey, (sorry if I spell your name wrong) is a German wildlife photographer.  So I was quite happy to tag along wherever he went.  He took me to Thornton Creek Hatchery to shoot some bears. The black bears take advantage of the salmon that are in the creek and photographers take advantage of the bears.

I felt safe as there were other photographers there for the bears to snack on.  Actually, the bears didn't mind us and we didn't mind them even though they got quite close at times.  Below is mama and cub having brunch.  (I'll wait to surf in Nicaragua or Costa Rica where it's warmer)

Journey to the End of the Earth...Canada that is.

This country is bloody HUGE!!  After just over a month of camping and WWOOFing, in BC, I've made it to the west end of the country.  Each place I've been has had a totally unique ecosystem.  From desert, to forest, to glaciers, rivers, lakes,  to rain forest, to ocean...and there is still so much more to experience.

My time on the Island(s) so far has been breathtakingly phenomenal.  Each day at some point I have to stop for a moment to make sure I'm still awake and not in some fantastical dream about to wake up very disappointed.  I cry often at the shear beauty of not only of this land but the freedom I have to follow my heart.  I'm not sure what I did to deserve this lifestyle, however I'm grateful for every breath I breath.

It's not all a bed of roses though.  Traveling alone can be lonely at times.  Particularly when I'm completely moved by the way the sky kisses the waves as they themselves kiss the earth.  Even though my heart is fully open to the moment, to the point of falling to my knees at the power of the Universe, there are moments when I wish I had someone with me to share it all.  It sometimes feels like there is no point in witnessing the rawness of nature if it can't be shared with someone.  Sometimes there are other travelers to share it with but it gets awkward when I ask them to hold me...  ;-)  Kidding.  Although the thought has crossed my mind.

What I have discovered though, is that even in my most lonely moments, love truly does come from within.  It nourishes and sustains me.  When I sink deep within enough, I am being gently held by the enormity of the unspoken force that is  Life and Love itself.   The world of form seems....formless.  And...the paradox of this human form is living in this world of form.  I would still love to have someone special to travel with.   It would beat having a tripod for a partner to take photos of me.  Often I don't even bother anymore.  Sad but true.

Since I'm alone, sharing with whomever happens to be in my vicinity and also in my online world is just fine.  Below are more photos from the Island(s)...

I apologize for the randomness of the photos.  I don't have much control over design or placement of them with this site.  I'm thinking I need a site specifically for photos.

Me in a tree in Cathedral Grove Park.  I was encaptured by the
beauty, magnitude and energy of these old growth trees.  I spent over 2 hours in this
park absorbing the energy, views and wonder of these gentle giants. 

???? Yes these trees feel together, but apart creating this magical scene.

Some perspective of how big some of these trees are.  These are not even the biggest!

Long Beach, Tofino.  This was my first time at the most western point of the country.  I still am absorbing the experience.

This is my absolutely favourite photo I've taken.

It was a delight watching this little girl dance so carefree on the beach.

This boy wandered into the water with such introspection.  It was beautiful to witness his first ocean experience.

While having coffee I met a wildlife photographer who was going out to shot black bears at a local salmon hatchery.  I was greatful to tag along.

Wildlife  paparazzi 

paparazzi

Mama bear

Mama and cub

Light house Loop, Ucluelet, BC

Stellar Jay at Incineration Rock Beach

Salt Spring Island

From sea to sky......

The view from Mount Erskine, Salt Spring Island.

Someone randomly put fariy doors in some of the rocks on the path to the
top of the mountain.  People leave little tokens at the doors as payment of passage.

Vesuvius Bay

Tree House Cafe.  It's more like a hobbit house.

Sign of the Times

Images of a peaceful protest in Victoria BC.  This was part of the Occupy Wall Street movement that gripped many countries today.  It's time to change the world by changing the way we think.

Whale Tale

I spent the morning in a tiny Zodiac boat out in the North Pacific.  Just that alone was enough to bring tears to my eyes.  I was even more blown away when we rode along side a pod of Killer Whales.  Two to be exact...one residential and one transient.  The photos are not great as it's hard shooting from a very bouncy boat surrounded by huge ships, coast guards and submarines ( one floated underneath us close by but only the periscope popped up for a few seconds...missed the shot).

It was a great day to be alive!!

The Right Stuff

Sexy Suit

BC Fall

Transportation

Wall Walk

Above the clouds

Here they come!!

This pod was moving quite fast!!

Coming up for air

Transient Pod

Size does matter

Resident Pod of Killer Whales

Second oldest lighthouse in BC

Harbour Seals

Diving down

IT'S NOT COLD...COME ON IN!!

Bath time

Man vs Sea

Got it?

Transportation

Tall ships in Victoria Harbour

Taxi!!