Across island journey

Soon after arriving on Vancouver Island in late November 2019, I was thankful to be able to make a boat trip I'd attempted to make on 3 previous occasions (but which were all cancelled for a variety of reasons beyond my control).  That was the boat trip from Port Alberni across to Bamfield on the west coast aboard the "Frances Barkley" - a vessel that takes passengers and cargo to various communities en route.

It was a stunning day - blue skies, sunshine and no wind !  The vessel departed at 7:30am and returned around 4:30pm after an hour's stop in Bamfield.

Above - the view when leaving Port Alberni

. . . . there was a surprising number of waterside properties

These guys were bringing their pontoon/raft out to collect provisions

This Bamfield resident (and canine friend) went past a couple of times during that 1 hour stopover, once bringing back a friend (human this time!)

Just in time to be too late - to see the whale!

A very different version of a "transportable home" :-)

This former ferry (based in Port Alberni) has been converted into a B&B - how cool is that?

A local Post Office

En route with Swans on the wing

It was a wonderful day's outing (only 7 passengers outbound and just me and the crew coming back!).  Another memorable excursion.

Joining in the fun at Our World Tuesday

Up Island

My previous visits to Vancouver Island revolved around the southern and mid island regions, so this time I decided to spend a couple of days exploring the north

 En route to Port McNeill, Port Hardy & Telegraph Cove

 Edge of Roberts Lake

Ditto 

Roberts Lake itself 

Approaching Telegraph Cove 

Telegraph Cove 

It pays to obey !! 

Am guessing this is where logs are brought to for storage and "weathering" before being gathered again and transported for use 

Caught this chap stretching his wings 

He he - figured one of these birds was "all dressed up for the formal dance", while the other was looking to hit the nightclubs!

Linking up to Our World Tuesday and

Wild Bird Wednesday

with grateful thanks to those managing those sites.

Keep safe everyone.

Bald Eagles

Whenever I've been blessed to visit Vancouver Island, my eyes

always look to the skies (well, not when I'm driving obviously!)

as I seek out the magnificent and majestic American Bald Eagles.

This one was a frequent visitor to the tree out front of the house I was "sitting"

(sorry for the graininess of this shot)

. . . and this poor blighter was "drip drying" - January was purportedly

the wettest on record for the island !

Happy and thankful to be once again linking up with Stewart's

Wild Bird Wednesday

Stay safe everyone !

Waterfalls

Toward the end of January, I revisited Little Qualicum Falls and was staggered to see the extent of damage in the park caused by the fierce storm that had recently hit the island (Vancouver).  Reports indicated it was the worst storm in the region for some decades with gale force winds uprooting trees and generally wreaking havoc across not only the island but also on mainland southern British Columbia.

Power outages were widespread and in some cases lasting several days.

Below you can see the tree had to be sawn and moved because it fell across the walking trail through the park.

A section of the Little Qualicum Falls

Linking up with

Our World Tuesday
and thanking the wonderful team of hosts who
make this site possible for our enjoyment