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Black Rock in Ucluelet

This is Black Rock Hotel in the town of Ucluelet where I recently stayed. It's on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The shoreline couldn't be more different than that of Florida, yet the contrast was something I very much appreciated. The coast is rugged, yet punctuated with long beaches frequented by surfers, and while the waves aren't huge, they're respectable even on calm days. I loved walking along trails here and exploring tide pools and just listening to the sound of the ocean on the rocks. Food for the soul indeed.

This is Black Rock Hotel in the town of Ucluelet where I recently stayed. It’s on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The shoreline couldn’t be more different than that of Florida, yet the contrast was something I very much appreciated. The coast is rugged, yet punctuated with long beaches frequented by surfers, and while the waves aren’t huge, they’re respectable even on calm days. I loved walking along trails here and exploring tide pools and just listening to the sound of the ocean on the rocks. Food for the soul indeed.

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Walk in the Garden

If you ever make it to Vancouver Island In British Columbia, be sure to visit Butchard Gardens. I was unprepared and very pleasantly surprised when I finally made it after being told the same by others. The gardens here are as exquisite. Unlike my wife I'm no gardener, and quite frankly the thought of spending a day in a garden, while relaxing, is not at the top of my list. Butchard Gardens changed that and after about eight hours of walking the grounds, I wished I had more time. Anyway, I was just sitting by a walkway taking a break when I snapped this.

Took this after a brief rain shower in Butchard Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia

If you ever make it to Vancouver Island In British Columbia, be sure to visit Butchard Gardens.  I was unprepared and very pleasantly surprised when I finally made it after being told the same by others. The gardens here are as exquisite. Unlike my wife I’m no gardener, and quite frankly the thought of spending a day in a garden, while relaxing, is not at the top of my list. Butchard Gardens changed that and after about eight hours of walking the grounds, I wished I had more time. Anyway, I was just sitting by a walkway taking a break when I snapped this.

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Victoria Harbour

A couple of weeks ago I was in Victoria which is the capital of British Columbia. Pretty much every night shot you see of Victoria features this parliament building. On this weekend they had a jazz festival, or maybe a boat show, or may both, I wasn't sure. But walking around the harbour there was live music coming from different directions and lots of folks out and a-boot (that's Canadian for about). I was standing here composing this and some people saw me with the tripod and said,

A couple of weeks ago I was in Victoria which is the capital of British Columbia. Pretty much every night shot you see of Victoria features this parliament building. On this weekend they had a jazz festival, or maybe a boat show, or may both, I wasn’t sure. But walking around the harbour there was live music coming from different directions and lots of folks out and a-boot (that’s Canadian for about). I was standing here composing this and some people saw me with the tripod and said, “hey man, are you shooting the show or just random?”. I thought about it for a few seconds and figured “random” was the right answer. So, in case you’re wondering, this is a random shot of Victoria at night.

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Ucluelet Killer Whale

Last week I was on a whale watching boat in the Broken Islands just off the coast of Ucluelet in British Columbia. The captain warned us we might not see whales as they hadn't been spotted in a few days. With so much scenery I was fine with that, it would be an enjoyable cruise nonetheless. As fate would have it we did in fact come upon a family of Orcas. But none of us, including the captain, were prepared for what we were about to witness. As it turns out an unlucky sea lion was there also shadowing a small powerboat and the whales knew. The sea lion would not leave the side of the boat until it eventually sped away leaving him exposed and effectively ending his life. Over the next thirty minutes we watched as the whales surrounded, attacked, toyed, and eventually put an end to the sea lion. It all took place within a radius of twenty-five to one hundred meters from our boat. I'll never forget the sound and feeling of the powerful waves and splashes as the whales pursued their prey. Our captain, Brian Congdon of Subtitle Adventures, said that in thirty-five years of whale tours he's never seen this. It's a well known fact that Killer Whales eat sea lions, but it is rare indeed to witness this act in nature. I for one was deeply impressed by this raw display of nature up close and unscripted.

Last week I was on a whale watching boat in the Broken Islands just off the coast of Ucluelet in British Columbia. The captain warned us we might not see whales as they hadn’t been spotted in a few days. With so much scenery I was fine with that, it would be an enjoyable cruise nonetheless. As fate would have it we did in fact come upon a family of Orcas. But none of us, including the captain, were prepared for what we were about to witness. As it turns out an unlucky sea lion was there also shadowing a small powerboat and the whales knew. The sea lion would not leave the side of the boat until it eventually sped away leaving him exposed and effectively ending his life. Over the next thirty minutes we watched as the whales surrounded, attacked, toyed, and eventually put an end to the sea lion. It all took place within a radius of twenty-five to one hundred meters from our boat. I’ll never forget the sound and feeling of the powerful waves and splashes as the whales pursued their prey. Our captain, Brian Congdon of Subtitle Adventures, said that in thirty-five years of whale tours he’s never seen this. It’s a well known fact that Killer Whales eat sea lions, but it is rare indeed to witness this act in nature. I for one was deeply impressed by this raw display of nature up close and unscripted.

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Little Qualicum Falls

Yesterday I stopped along the highway at Little Qualicum Falls on Vancouver Island. There are trails that give you great perspectives of the falls from all angles just a short walk from the parking lot. This was my last stop before heading to the ferry, then the airport and then home here in Florida. I was in a bit of a rush to get to the ferry after this stop, perhaps I lingered too long. Next thing you know I got a ticket for speeding. I should have been upset but I was in too much of a good mood from seeing these falls and all the other great sights of British Columbia to worry that much. Driving within the limit, I made it to the ferry on time.

Yesterday I stopped along the highway at Little Qualicum Falls on Vancouver Island. There are trails that give you great perspectives of the falls from all angles just a short walk from the parking lot. This was my last stop before heading to the ferry, then the airport and then home here in Florida. I was in a bit of a rush to get to the ferry after this stop, perhaps I lingered too long. Next thing you know I got a ticket for speeding. I should have been upset but I was in too much of a good mood from seeing these falls and all the other great sights of British Columbia to worry that much. Driving within the limit, I made it to the ferry on time.

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Wild Pacific Trail

Took a hike on the lighthouse loop of the Wild Pacific Trail today. It starts at the lighthouse in Ucluelet, British Columbia and then along the rugged coast and forests of Douglas Firs. It's only two and a half kilometers but the problem is there are spectacular views about every fifty meters (I'm not exaggerating for once). It ended up taking four hours to complete and I think my camera worked harder than me, poor thing. I don't know for sure, but I'd guess this must be in some top ten list of most scenic hikes in North America. If not, then I'm creating my own and this starts at the number one spot.

Took a hike on the lighthouse loop of the Wild Pacific Trail today. It starts at the lighthouse in Ucluelet, British Columbia and then along the rugged coast and forests of Douglas Firs. It’s only two and a half kilometers but the problem is there are spectacular views about every fifty meters (I’m not exaggerating for once). It ended up taking four hours to complete and I think my camera worked harder than me, poor thing. I don’t know for sure, but I’d guess this must be in some top ten list of most scenic hikes in North America. If not, then I’m creating my own and this starts at the number one spot.

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Wickaninnish Beach

Called Wick beach by the locals this is a classic

Called Wick beach by the locals this is a classic “long beach”, meaning it’s really long. A great opportunity for me to pull out the long lens and look for interesting perspectives. It rained for a couple of days and this was the last band of rain clouds coming out of the Pacific, and trailing was blue sky and warm temperatures . A favorite spot for local surfers as well as beachcombers like me.

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Ucluelet Harbour

This is the fishing harbour in the little town of Ucluelet. You could be forgiven if at first glance you mistook this for an Alaskan fishing village as sequences from Man of Steel were filmed here for that very reason. I thought I lived in a small town, at a population of just over 1,600 good chance everyone knows everyone. I think this is one of those little secrets of a destination you just have to know about. In my case it was just dumb luck.

This is the fishing harbour in the little town of Ucluelet. You could be forgiven if at first glance you mistook this for an Alaskan fishing village as sequences from Man of Steel were filmed here for that very reason. I thought I lived in a small town, at a population of just over 1,600 good chance everyone knows everyone. I think this is one of those little secrets of a destination you just have to know about. In my case it was just dumb luck.

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Elk Lake

It's a good omen that not ten minutes after we landed by ferry in Victoria we happened upon Elk Lake. And then a few minutes later we found Beaver Lake, and so it goes. High fives all around and wide grins, we headed for the hotel with a glimpse of what's in store. The week is over, the weekend begins, now it's time to have a little fun.

It’s a good omen that not ten minutes after we landed by ferry in Victoria we happened upon Elk Lake. And then a few minutes later we found Beaver Lake, and so it goes. High fives all around and wide grins, we headed for the hotel with a glimpse of what’s in store. The week is over, the weekend begins, now it’s time to have a little fun.

Click on photo to obtain print

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Logs Along the Coast

Tomorrow I'm taking a ferry from the mainland to Vancouver Island. All along the coast are ferry terminals like this one at Horseshoe Bay. I took this shot a few months back and I was intrigued by the big logs along the shore. Logging is big here so maybe these are the remnants of that or just trees along the coast that succumed to the elements. Nevertheless, summer is winding down and everyone seems to be frantically enjoying the last of the good weather before the short rainy days of winter return. For now, that's distant concept and theres much to do on the long weekend here in British Columbia. Happy Friday everyone.

Tomorrow I’m taking a ferry from the mainland to Vancouver Island. All along the coast are ferry terminals like this one at Horseshoe Bay. I took this shot a few months back and I was intrigued by the big logs along the shore. Logging is big here so maybe these are the remnants of that or just trees along the coast that succumed to the elements. Nevertheless, summer is winding down and everyone seems to be frantically enjoying the last of the good weather before the short rainy days of winter return. For now, that’s a distant concept and there’s much to do on this long weekend in British Columbia. Happy Friday everyone.

Click on photo to obtain prints.