Canada: Bears and Whales: Zeballos

With the exception of a few hikers and canoeists who venture here in the summer, the Zeballos community is still very much off the main tourist route and survives on a combination of fishing and logging. Apparently though it is also the most reliable place on Vancouver Island to look for the Sea Otter which have spread into the nearby inlets from Nootka Sound where they were re-released a few decades ago. The boat wasn’t big enough to take all of us together so we drew lots and fortunately Ian and I got the second, afternoon, boat as the morning's weather forecast wasn't good. After a huge and delicious breakfast we walked down to the harbour to wave the other group off and then have a wander around the village.

Although it wasn't ridiculously early the village was deserted so we just ambled around. I liked this sign on someone's front lawn.

This isn't Spanish Moss but something similar.

By the time it was our turn the weather had improved considerably and 5 of us plus the Canadian lead boarded the little boat.

There was a bit of trouble refuelling here (split pipe) and so we firstly needed to go around the bay to get more marine diesel.

Not being a lover of water I am always in awe of people who just hop in and out of boats and don't panic that their small children will drown like I would.

As we were getting our fuel our Canadian guide noticed a dark shape on the opposite bank (a long way away) and sure enough it was a mother and cub.

It was wonderful a) to be the only boat around and b) that the boat was really small and our pilot could cut the engine and we could just float quite close.

And then she'd had enough and was off!

The scenery is just stunning.

Humpback, who proceeded to entertain us with numerous flukes.

It looks like it's had a close encounter with a propeller.

How incredible to be so close to this amazing creature. Humpbacks in the waters around Vancouver Island typically measure 14 to 17 meters and can weigh up to 40 metric tons (44 short tons). Females are generally larger than males.

The boatman was really good and very patient, he let us stay just as long as we wanted and none of us could tear ourselves away for a very long time. And then blow me down he found us another Black Bear, this time a large male.

Sniffing the air, I wonder what we smell like to bears.

Turning over the rocks on the shoreline looking for crabs.

Looks a nasty gash on his back.

He didn't seem remotely bothered about us.

We decided to move on and leave him in peace. The scenery is absolutely beautiful (except even here there are signs of deforestation) and we were so lucky to have such glorious sunshine to enjoy it in.

Next up were a small colony of Harbour Seals.

And loads of Sea Otters bobbing around.

I love how this one is clinging on to a piece of kelp.

It's waving at us!

Heading out a bit further we're now about as far west as we can go before actually joining the Pacific Ocean.

And these poor Sea Otters look like they're just about managing to cope with the rough waters.

Heading back into calmer waters.

This rock was obviously a favourite resting post for cormorants and there are 3 types here; Brandt's, Pelagic and Double-crested although I'm not sure I'd know which were which.