We've lived here for over four years and we hadn't seen a whale. We tried to one time when Susie came to visit us. The trip was very unsuccessful, the only thing we saw was seagulls. I would never let Brian hear the end of it if we didn't get to see whales before we moved back to the oceanless Ontario. There was something so important about seeing them that if it didn't happen I would probably pout about it for years to come.
I was at work, just like every other day, helping a customer with a print order. He brought in some photos that he took while out on a whale tour. I did my usual sigh and said "I wish I could go see whales..." and the craziest thing happened: he invited us to go on a tour. Just like that. You can imagine my jaw hitting the floor. I was jumping up and down with my work friends, beside myself. FINALLY!
You can always depend on the kindness of strangers.
The boat left at 9am and Brian, a work colleague and I climbed on the tiny boat and headed off the the San Juan Islands.. I had to tell myself in my mind that there could be a chance that we wouldn't see anything. I was telling myself not to be too upset because we didn't spend a dime to get on this boat and the free ride was awesome. And just as I reserved myself to being disappointed they appeared. The boat cut the engines and we drifted as the whales approached.
Orcas are massive in that take-your-breath-away sense. It's hard to believe something so large can move so lightly, let alone exist. There were a lot of whales around us just bobbing around. A couple came up close but they mostly ignored us and carried on, doing that whale thing they do.
A guide dropped a device in the water to let us hear their cute sounds and told us that the pods each have their own dialect. I believe they were the L-pod, one of the killer whale communities that happen to be on the endangered species list. None of the shots I got were of whale groups, just individuals off hunting. Or sleeping? I'm not sure. I was pretty excited just to be there, it was pretty emotional. I have always said that I'd cry if I saw a whale and I kept true to my promise.
This is corny but every time I see an animal in the wild it's really special. I will definitely miss that about BC. It's rare to see anything where I'm from in Ontario besides the occasional raccoon or shy deer. I've seen a lot of amazing animals out here and I'm grateful for the chance to see them in their natural environment. Sure, zoos are neat and are places of education and conservation but it's not the same. I'm feeling especially passionate about whales right now and am saving watching Blackfish
for when Brian returns to Victoria from his house hunting trip.
As much as I like to make fun of BC for being so proud of itself, I can't ignore how beautiful it is out here. That's one defence about anti-Ontario that I cannot rebuttal. Though Ontario has its own charms and can easily win my heart in the nostalgic way I can't deny how amazing it as been living so close to the sea. I've kayaked and swam in it, stared into it, been splashed by it. I've waded in the shallows through lion;s mane jellyfish and sailed on HMCS Algonquin from Vancouver to Victoria. I've ridden the ferries hoping I'd see whales spyhop and now I have and I couldn't have had a better time.
This month has been insanely busy with our move and I'm so happy I was able to complete my time out here by seeing whales. Thanks, BC.
