"Whether you boat on fresh water or on the ocean, there is a lot
of marine life to observe and appreciate. We boat in the Pacific
Northwest off the west coast around the islands and straits of the
Pacific Ocean. The sea life here is exceptional. Following are some of
our wonderful experiences."
One of the most powerful sights is that of large pods of Orca whales,
or Killer whales as they are often referred to, as they migrate off the
coast. Sometimes there can be several in these pods including mother
whales and their babies. Orca whales are quite beautiful to see. Their
black and white bodies glisten in the sunlight each time they appear
near the water surface or do a breach jump. Usually the babies follow
their mothers. It is quite possible to watch them for hours without
getting tired.
Boaters must be careful and remain a respectable distance from the
whales, as most whales are endangered. You do not want to interfere with
their normal migration routes and movements. It is possible to see Orca
whales up close in captivity, and they are splendid animals. But when
you can actually see them in their normal environment in the ocean, it
is magnificent. How fortunate we are to be able to go boating for a few
days and have them entertain us along the way.
Another sea mammal that I always enjoy watching is the dolphin or the
porpoise. They too can be found off the west coast. These mammals are so
sleek and they can swim at very fast speeds. As they jump and slice
through the surface of the water they are quite entertaining. Most
people have seen dolphins in action at the various aquariums around the
world. Well they do the same in the wild. They make me laugh. I think
that they actually enjoy an audience!
Living in the Pacific North West, we are very aware of the salmon
industry. When boating, there are many small fishing boats out with
their nets during the fisheries openings for the various kinds of
salmon. It is fun to watch them jump. Seals are also very good
fishermen. You can be sure that when the salmon are plentiful around the
mouths of the large rivers, you will see a lot of seals. They love to
fish for salmon, much to the chagrin of the commercial fishermen. They
can be seen swimming through the waters, or sunning themselves on large
logs or rocky outcroppings along the shoreline. The bark of a seal is
loud and comical to hear and they are another creature that can
entertain west coast boaters.
When the salmon are running, you will find another fisherman, one
with wings. There are many Bald Eagles on the west coast and they also
enjoy a good salmon dinner. These are very majestic birds. Their soaring
overhead is something to be marvelled at. The black and white features
really stand out against the sky as they glide and then swoop down for a
fish.
Sea otters can sometimes be seen around large beds of kelp. In
particular I have seen many when boating in our Bayliner, off the
coastline from British Columbia to California. These sea creatures are
very timid, so you must give them space. They love to float on their
backs and eat sea urchins or play in the water, rolling over and over.
Often you can see them playing in pairs. Sea otters are my husband’s
favorite sea mammals. He loves to watch them play. They really are very
cute. If you have watched them, I’m sure you will agree.
As well as these mammals, the coast offers wonderful creatures that
attached themselves to the rocks and driftwood or coral. Sea anemones
are absolutely beautiful, as are the many colored starfish. Anenomes are
found in white, pale green and soft pinks with large fluffy plumes.
Starfish are found in ranges of bright orange to deep purple. They can
be very tiny and fragile or very large. Some measure several inches
across. Sea cucumbers, barnacles, sand dollars, oysters, mussels and
crabs are all found along the coastline. I love to walk on docks at
marinas when the tide is out and see some of these shell fish in tiny
pools of water. You can often get up quite close to see them better.
All in all we are very fortunate in this area to be able to see so
many creatures. Many of which are not seen by most people around the
world. They enhance our environment and our boating experiences. It is
important that we remember to respect all of these creatures in their
natural environments, so as not to interfere with nature’s course.
