From the Great Bear Rainforest – Capt. Kevin Smith via sattelite:
Three spirit bears and a beautiful black bear catching fish right below us today. Hot springs.
– Sep. 27, 2010
[The flooding of the century occurred along the entire central coast/northern Vancouver Island in the middle of this trip – hence the rain related remarks from Capt. Kevin below. Thank goodness for Maple Leaf’s drying room, aka the engine room.]
White faced grizzly bear sow and new cub fishing just across river from us. Entire river is in full flood, water from rock wall to rock wall, covering the meadow. Trails were not accesable as they were under water.
Then just as we were leaving, I spotted a big male grizzly bear sitting up high on the scree slope on the right side. He watched us as we watched him. He looked magnificent silhouetted against the grey weather behind him. We named him Bonus Bear.
Non-stop hard rain, everybody’s rain gear is failing. I’m handing out as much yellow Helly Hansen rain gear from the ship as they will take!
– Sep. 25, 2010
From the Great Bear Rainforest – Capt. Kevin Smith via sattelite:
Great tour of offshore islands last night before a stunning sunset. This morning we just finished an explore around the McMullin Group where we saw eight sea otters!
The wind is just starting now and we should have a great sail all afternoon up to Princess Royal Island.
Later update: Right now we are under full sail in Laredo Sound. It’s hot and sunny. We’ve been visited by 6 Dall’s porpoises who slowed down so they could swim in our bow wave. We’re having a great afternoon and taking full advantage of the calm before the storm. I’ve chosen a nice secure anchorage for the night.
Sept. 22, 2010
From the Great Bear Rainforest – Capt. James Warburton via sattelite:
Hanging out with grizzly bears in a fjord, meeting folks at the Raincoast field station, visiting the village of Klemtu.
Sep. 20, 2010
From the Great Bear Rainforest – Capt. James Warburton via sattelite:
Great news! Under sunny blue skies, Julie just caught her first halibut. Fresh fish for dinner tonight. Very fitting, since we spent yesterday in the rainforest and watched a Spirit Bear catch fish for its own dinner.
Sept. 16, 2010
From the Great Bear Rainforest – Capt. James Warburton via sattelite:
Guests just met Herman and Janie from Cetacea Lab who came aboard for lunch. We were all ready for a cetacea lab tour when we were greated by three full humback breaches, then three peck fin waves about 100 feet on the starboard side, singing, and a bubble net feed (which we got some shots of). After that two humbacks came just under the stern of the ship to say hello and then were gone. WOW! Everyone is feeling very lucky!
Sept. 14, 2010
