Life On The Edge

The edge of a Seaspan chip barge that is. Harbours provide a safe haven for more than just boats, and Sea Lions have been

making the Catalyst mill harbour a haven for many years. The mill crews have never been impressed - these beasts

are loud, smelly and very dirty.

Ready For Winter

Lost its spots and grown a heavier coat, ready for its very first winter.

And not to worry, mama was nearby, just out of the frame.

Harbour Seal Parenting

From the archives, as I haven't been out and about much lately. Four years ago this month I spent a

bit of time watching this seal mum and her pup on the boom logs at the log dump by the mill.

The little one's nap time, and a short time later  ...

... it was feeding time.

We shouldn't assign human emotions to animals, but mum did look contented.

The Grass Is Always Greener ...

...on the other side of that fence!

He's good looking young buck. This time of year those antlers, covered in velvet, are still

growing, they won't harden till later in the season.

Harvesting Pollen

This Bumblebee spent some time at the Begonias in my planter, harvesting pollen.

It's been a busy little bee, those pollen baskets on the back legs are packed with the gatherings.

Urban Wildlife

Strolling down the centre of the street like she owned it, checking on the traffic ahead.

A look back to see what's keeping junior.

Catching up to mama.

We see a lot of these around town, acclimatized to both people and our vehicles.

Wary, but seemingly not afraid.

Here's Looking At You - Take 2

This seal was bouncing around on a rock just off the Seawalk, as if it were doing calisthenics.

Not something I've seen before. I've seen seals on rocks, but usually napping, and

definitely not bouncing around.

Fresh Greens

From the archives : enjoying a nice green salad.

Steller's Sea Lions

On the rocks of the Mill breakwater. Very big, very noisy, and it's not recommended to get downwind of a group of them!

They are supposedly a "near threatened" species, though one wouldn't know it here, we have more each year it seems.

Curious

Checking me out, but I didn't hold its attention for long. These were taken from the dock

at the entrance of the South Harbour, though I've taken similar shots from the

Westview Wharf and the Willingdon float. There are a lot of Harbour Seals here.

Masked Bandit

Another archive photo - I came across this bandit casing out one of the sailboats in the

South Harbour on a November day in 2012.

"Click!"

This River Otter at the South Harbour heard the click of my camera's shutter, but couldn't

place the sound as coming from above, the ramp going down to floats 7-11.

At Filberg Park - Comox

On a quick day-trip to Comox 3 weeks ago, with some time to spare, I made a little

side trip to Comox's Filberg Park, and caught this young thing

with its head in the begonias.

Black Bear

Coho salmon start appearing at Lang Creek in small numbers by

the end of August, and as their numbers increase into September, Black

Bears also appear. These photos were taken at the Creek last year. With a long lens.
I was there a week ago, the bears weren't, yet.

Feeding The Squirrels

 At Putters Mini Golf, every day, Pam puts the peanuts out.

Back Scratching

 

This otter was most definitely enjoying itself, getting a good back scratching on the

boards of float #10 of the South Harbour.

As a photographer I very much enjoy the antics of any otter; ask any wharfinger

and you'll get a much different response.