Tag Archives: whale watching

The Seagull, the Whale, the Rainbow, and the Rain

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Yesterday, Beau and I embarked on our morning walk in the rain with the hopeful anticipation of once again encountering the majestic whales. And briefly, we did. Even in that fleeting moment, I felt the awe-inspiring grandeur of life beneath the waves.

Just before their emergence, Beaumont had fortuitously exited the water. I’m uncertain what his reaction would have been had he encountered a humpback gracefully gliding by. As it were, his swim was prompted by two seagulls that had the audacity to perch upon a rock at the water’s edge.

Beau, ever the guardian of order, raced towards them, and when they took flight, he plunged into the water, swimming in a valiant yet futile attempt to capture them. It was quite the spectacle to witness his determined pursuit of the seagulls and their smugness as they taunted him to venture further out. Thankfully, he heeded my call and returned to shore.

And that’s when the whales gracefully slipped past. It was a brief but enchanting encounter, made even more magical by the rainbow that arched above us as we strolled back home.

The seagull, the whale, the rainbow, and the rain – all elements of nature’s symphony, each playing their part in the tapestry of our morning walk. Each creating waves of joy and wonder within and all around me.

Sunsets. Whales and Magic.

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While the romance of ferry rides might fade, (though I doubt it) I know I’ll never tire of sunsets at the sea’s edge witnessing Mother Nature’s explosion of colours drawing the day closed.

Pure magic.

Nor will I ever lose my wonder at the sight of whales. Since moving to the island, I’ve yearned for this moment. Every day, there’s been a sighting, and every time, I’ve missed them.

This morning, my daughter in Vancouver called. “Whales at Orlebar Point!” she exclaimed. I grabbed my binoculars and rushed out onto the deck, but the sea was calm. “I’m going to the Point,” I told my grandchildren, who were watching excitedly on Facetime.

Ten minutes later, Beau and I stood on the rocks at Orlebar Point. A woman with a camera pointed towards the water. Suddenly, I saw them – immense bodies breaching the surface, water cascading like diamonds in sunlight. Their blows echoed across the water, a deep, resonant sound that vibrated through me.

It is humbling to stand on the shore while mere meters away, giants slip gracefully through the water. The salty spray kissed my face as I listened to their breath escape with every undulating move. To witness such magnificence on a cloudy west coast day, just minutes from home, is beyond special.

It’s pure magic.

Growing up Beaumont – Tales of a Sheepadoodle

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Beaumont is off on an adventure.

Tomorrow, we are heading west to the coast and then, across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island and to delightful, laidback in a, hey dude, I’m chillin’ on the west coast, kind of way town on the farthest western shore of Canada, Tofino. A week of beach-combing, cuddling by a cozy fire and chilling out in the rainforest.

I think he’s excited.

Okay, that’s just transference on my part, but if he were aware of where we were going, he’d be excited!

Tofino is a place of treasured memories for me.

Throughout their growing years, my daughters, their friend Vicky and I would head out to Tofino for a week every Easter break. We’d pack the car with everything possible (including 100 Beanie Babies, dress up clothes and other paraphernalia necessary for 3 pre-teen to teens girls to play dress-up on the beach and indulge in other escapades). We’d spend the week by the ocean where we would gambol in the surf, wander the boardwalks through the rainforest and sit on rocks watching seals cavort in the waves. We’d eat and laugh and chatter and dance and play cards and board games and skip through tidal pools and lay in the sun when it was shining, which, given this is the west coast, was sometimes dubious as the weather can often be moody.

Every morning, I’d sneak down to the beach to write a daily installment of a story I’d created just for them in the sand. Every morning, they’d awaken and race to the shore, read the story and act out the tale of three star maidens who climbed down the staircase from heaven to earth every night to cast dreams upon sleeping children. Some mornings, the tide devoured the story before they could. And that was okay. It was all part of the adventure.

C.C., nor Beaumont, have ever been to Tofino.

I’m excited. To share one of my favourite places on earth with the man I love, and the puppy who continues to bring pure joy into our lives every day.

I may, or may not be blogging regularly. For sure tomorrow morning I won’t be as we plan on heading out early to arrive in Vancouver in time for dinner at my sister’s.

For the next week, I will be enjoying the company of my beloved, our pooch and as a special treat, my eldest daughter will be joining us for the weekend.

What a gift. To spend time with those I live in a place that has always filled my heart with loving memories.

Life is delicious.